"Secret" Newfoundland and Labrador film project prompts opposition questions

A "secret" Newfoundland and Labrador film project valued at $3 million raised the eyebrows of Liberal MHA Kelvin Parsons during a legislative budget estimates meeting Tuesday evening at Confederation Building in St. John's.

Parsons, who asked about details of the fund (on behalf of absent NDP leader Lorraine Michael) received no answer to his question about the budgeted amount, which allocates $3 million to the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation for 2009-10. This is almost double the $1.75 million in last year's budget, an amount that may - or may not - have been spent.

In response to questions, Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister, Clyde Jackman, would only reply that the funds are set for a "secret project."

No word as to whether the Tory government is stashing away public funds for any further "secret" projects, such as, say, for the Churchill Falls hydro project.