A controversial contract between Nalcor’s oil and gas company and the consulting company owned by a former top civil servant has been terminated after only one year.

Gordon McIntosh, a former deputy minister of Natural Resources, was hired by Nalcor at what critics saw as an exorbitant amount of compensation: $337,000 a year plus a hefty housing allowance.

Nalcor says the contract was two-years maximum with a 30-day notice period after year one.

They notified Aberdeen International Associates (AIA), McIntosh’s company, on March 24. Nalcor says they reviewed the service agreement with AIA as part of the 2020 budget process and decided to terminate the contract.

PC Leader Ches Crosbie is surprised. He says it was government’s decision to end the contract and calls into question whether the contract was ever needed.

He accuses government of terminating the contract under the cover of a pandemic.