A third-party review will be completed by Deloitte is examine if the Invest Medicine Hat procurement procedure was in line with city policies, and generally accepted practices for procurement in Alberta (file photo/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Third-party review of Invest Medicine Hat procurement scandal to be completed by Oct. 4

Sep 7, 2021 | 10:15 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- The results of a third-party review that examines whether or not there was a conflict of interest in the procurement process for the privatization of Invest Medicine Hat, will be completed by Oct. 4, the city said.

Audit committee chair Darren Hirsch confirmed city administration selected Deloitte’s Calgary- based office to conduct the review. The international firm, Hirsch said is an independent body that “has no business dealings with the City of Medicine Hat at all, at this point in time,”

Hirsch said Deloitte started the audit planning last week, and they are in the process of reviewing documents and arranging interviews.

During an interview with reporters, Mayor Ted Clugston was unable to say how many firms were considered in the selection process, adding that he has had a hands-off approach on the handling of the review in order to ensure it remains independent.

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“I have tried on this one to have no political influence on this one at all. That’s why Councillor Hirsch and the audit committee has been assigned this task but they have no influence on it either.” Mayor Clugston said.

Mayor Ted Clugston said the results may be presented during their Oct. 4, council meeting, the last council meeting before the election, so that the media can ask questions about the review findings.

A third-party review was triggered after it was learned Orka Management group, a company formed by three city staffers was the lone bidder on the Invest Medicine Hat contract.