Manitoba opposition parties renew criticism of hydro review after Gordon Campbell's departure

Manitoba's opposition parties are again questioning the purpose of a hydro review following the departure of the former politician hired to lead the process.

Theprovince hired former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell last fall to mount an external economic review of the decision-making process behind theKeeyaskGenerating Station and theBipole III power transmission line projects, both of which are estimated to have gone billions of dollarsover budget.

Campbell is now facing sexual assault allegations in the United Kingdom.On Tuesday, the Manitoba governmentconfirmed the former B.C. premier will step aside for the remainder of the review.

• Former B.C. premier dropped as lead of Manitoba Hydro review amid sex assault allegations

The province also said on Tuesday the review will continue. This led Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew to describe the review as a "political game" because it's continuing on without a leader.

"Essentially, Gordon Campbell isjust thefigurehead, the hood ornament, on this vehicle that's being driven out of the premier's office, by [Premier Brian] Pallisterhimself," Kinew said Wednesday at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

He again questioned the province's decision to spend $2.5 million on the hydro review.

Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamontalso called the review a waste of money and said it's clear what went wrong with Manitoba Hydro.

He encouraged the province to stop skimming a dividend off hydro operations.

The PC government stood by the hydro review, insisting Manitobansare owed an explanation for ballooning Keeyask and Bipole III costs.

Hydro estimated in a 2017 annual report that Bipole III could cost over$5.04 billionwhen all is said and done, up from the initial estimate of$2.2 billion.

The expected cost of Keeyask, originally projectedto cost $6.5 billion, ballooned to $8.7 billion in 2017, according to Hydro. An outside review released the same year estimated the final cost could be more like $10.5 billion.

"The review will continue and, if required, the government can designate independent, contracted staff currently assigned to the review with the powers set out under the Evidence Act. That is not required at this stage, however," Crown Services Minister Colleen Mayer said in a statement.

She said the NDP opposes the hydro review"because they know it would reveal their gross mismanagement and their attempts to sweep their many failures under the rug."