Elliot Lake Inquiry to cost taxpayers $15M

The CBC has learned what the province is spending on the Elliot Lake public inquiry.

According to and e-mail sent to Radio-Canada fromthe Ministry of the Attorney General, the inquiry has already cost tax payers more than $6 million an amount that is expected to more than double.

Included in the inquirys overall budget of $15 million are the Commissions operational costs.

The Commissioner, Justice Paul Belanger, will earn more than $288,000 annually for his role an amount that aligns with the salary for a senior judge.

The eight lawyers hired on the commission council are each are being paid between $120 and $390 per hour.

The bulk of the money already spent by the inquiry was to set up the office and hearing room in Elliot Lake.

The hearings are scheduled to last for several more months.