Column sparks renewed calls for PNP investigation

There are renewed calls for further investigations into the controversial P.E.I. provincial nominee program after allegations by a former key employee in the premier's office have raised questions about Premier Robert Ghiz's involvement with the program.

Opposition Leader Stephen Myers is calling for Allan Rankin, former clerk of executive council, to appear before a legislative committee on Public Accounts that oversees how government money is spent.

"A senior civil servant says that Robert Ghiz was right in the middle of handpicking who got PNP and who didn't, so we think that's a matter of concern," said Myers.

"It is a matter of a public program that this government clearly messed up and ruined for businesses on Prince Edward Island."

Rankin held the position in 2008 when more than 1,300 PNP applications in P.E.I.'s problem-plagued immigration program were processed.

In a newspaper column last month, Rankin said Premier Robert Ghiz became directly involved in allocating units to businesses. He was also harshly critical of Ghiz's actions and the program.

"So this is an opportunity to look at a program that this administration completely messed up and turned into a debacle because it never was until they got a hold of it," said Myers.

'Untrue' and 'disappointing'

New Democrat Leader Mike Redmond says Rankin's comments on PNP raise questions that demonstrate the need for a full public inquiry.

"The provincial nominee program and the fiasco that has occurred since 2008 have not gone away," said Redmond.

"I think we need a legally constituted process where people can feel safe coming forward and look through the information thoroughly without fear of prosecution or reprisals."

Rankin could not be reached for comment Monday.

Premier Robert Ghiz's office issued this statement:

"These assertions are completely untrue and are disappointing to hear. The Provincial Nominee Program has been thoroughly reviewed and audited, including by the Auditor General, whose report was presented to the Public Accounts Committee. Additional reviews were also conducted by the RCMP and the Canadian Border Service Agency. None of these reviews substantiate the misinformation being spread."

Myers says he hopes Rankin will appear before the public accounts committee in February.