Zeeshan Syed, a former Alberta Energy Regulator executive who was engulfed in a public sector spending scandal in Alberta only four years ago, last week welcomed two Liberal cabinet ministers to the Thunder Bay site of his junior mining company’s proposed lithium refinery. The meeting was an orchestrated publicity event and Mr. Syed says he’s optimistic that he can attract taxpayer funding for his latest venture.
“There was an investigation, it’s old news, the matter was resolved, and there was a finding of no wrongdoing,” Mr. Syed said. “And I refer you to the Auditor-General’s decision.” Mr. Champagne also told reporters that Avalon’s proposed plant is “one of the most promising” he’s ever seen in Canada. With not one, but two ministers showing up at Avalon’s facility, and talking positively about its future, the company earned a crucial vote of confidence from a key stakeholder.
“The tone is set from the top, by the ministers,” Mr. LeBlanc said. “You have to have personal accountability.”