Legisiatve Suiting
Miter of Energy
Feegha, Saskatchewan $43 053
and Resources
November 1, 2010
Hon. Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
CD Howe Building
235 Queen Street
Ottawa, Ontario
KIA OHS
Dear Mr. Clement:
Lam writing to express my deep concem about a news story by Don Martin of the
National Post which appeared online yesterday entitled “investment Canada gives Potash
bid tentative nod.”
If this story is true, the Province of Saskatchewan would be deeply disappointed in both.
your decision and in learning of your decision in this manner.
‘The story cites “Conservative insiders” confirming that a recommendation to approve the
proposed PotashCorp takeover has been sent to the Prime Minister's desk. The story
goes on to talk about undertakings that will be attached to the approval, including a
government-appointed body to monitor the purchase and enforce takeover terms.
If this story does indeed reflect the federal government’s decision, our government will
view this as a profound betrayal of our province and will announce further steps we will
take in response to this federal decision.
However, more immediately, I would like an explanation regarding why some unnamed
“Conservative insider” is providing information about your department's
recommendations to the news media, which appears to be a flagrant violation of the strict
confidentiality provisions contained in Section 36 of the Investment Canada Act. In a
subsequent story this morning, Mr. Martin says that he received this information from
“two in-the-loop sources.”
This is particularly troubling given that Saskatchewan government officials have been
cautioned by your government on numerous occasions about adhering to the
confidentiality provisions of the Act. I would further note that Saskatchewan’s
Conservative MP’s have refrained from publicly expressing their opinions on this
takeover bid, citing the legal restrictions contained in the confidentiality provisions of the
Act.Page 2
After all that, someone associated with your own government now appears to be
flagrantly violating these same provisions at the most crucial point in the entire process —
just as the final decision is about to be made.
Please advise what steps you plan to take to deal with this apparent violation of the
Investment Canada Act and if you will be launching an investigation into this matter.
Regards,
Bill Boyd
Minster of Energy and Resources
ce: Premier Brad Wall