Hwell, they broke the news again because of the Oakville gas plant closure scandal, where the Liberals claimed they paid corporations only $20 million in compensation penalties for nullified contracts, whereas it was reported by insider sources, the corporations previoysly turned down a half a billion dollar compensation offer and were likely to have been paid $1.2 billion in the end, and the figure cited in official allegations by critics is over $400 million. The government officials are still getting their salaries paid, so the real loser is the taxpayer. Back in time when it was reported the women employed in government were earning less overall (women and men employed for the same jobs were most likely earning the same), Chretien was told not to fight this, and pay out women employees 'equalization' compensation (on the other hand, equalization could have been achieved with men employed in the government taking cuts). Back then the taxpayer was the loser too. So the pattern is quite apparent. It does not matter what happens with the taxpayer's money as long as the government gets their fill. Both McGuinty and his successor were present at the meetings when key decisions regarding the terminated gas plant were made. Once they went ahead with the decision to commit hundreds of millions of public funds to the project, signing required deals with contractors, they should have stood by it rather than listening to complaints of a small minority from the affected riding that their real estate value may diminish and in retaliation it may cause McGuinty's party some votes. To some people and vested interests, winning elections seems like everything. Moreover, where it comes to appropriating themselves extra funds, bonuses and salaries under any pretext, the government will fight tooth and nail, but when the taxpayers' money are at stake, the government 'is told' not to fight it. Go figure.
