David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That begs the question: why were the regulations amended in February 2008 to indemnify the lenders in this? Why were the regulations changed if they were following policy as the Minister states? Why were the regulations changed? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, seeing as we have taken over control of the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and that contract between what was then the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and Ruskin, I am wondering if the Minister can comment on what our potential liabilities are or risks associated with being in that contract with Ruskin. This is related to cost, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wasn’t really talking about the toll but I appreciate the Minister throwing that in there for me. I want to talk about the contingency as well. That was flagged by the Auditor General too. On a project of this size, how is it possible that we have a contingency of less than 2 percent or close to 2 percent on a project of this size? Judging by the items I have identified, it would take no time at all, Mr. Speaker, to eat that $2 million up. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I guess that’s what happens when you don’t have a design for three years into a project. You still don’t have a firm design. You’ve had more engineers, probably close to 30 or 40 engineers working on the project. It’s little wonder that you’re going to have trouble finding somebody that can come in and sign off on that project, ultimately, at the end of the day.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister what evidence does he and the department have that the other risks that are addressed in the Auditor General’s report are being managed effectively? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to join my colleagues in speaking out today against elder abuse. I was disgusted and sickened by a story on the CTV two days ago where a man and his wife had left his elderly mother in an unheated garage for an extended period of time. Mr. Speaker, this action was reprehensible and highlights the fact that elder abuse is happening every day, not only in communities in our Territory but across this country. In this case, laws were broken, but the abuse can take many forms, Mr. Speaker, such as financial abuse, people stealing money, belongings, forging cheques...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure met on February 16, 2011, to review Bill 18, An Act to Repeal the Settlements Act. Following the clause-by-clause review, a motion was carried to report Bill 18 to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the committee’s general comments on Bill 18. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s also not every day that the government puts close to $200 million of taxpayers’ money squarely at risk. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to get back to the question of responsibility and accountability. Now, in February of 2008, the regulations were amended once again, and again I’m going to ask the question, who is going to take responsibility for those regulations being amended to again put us at further risk, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you. I find it highly convenient that the government would waive the requirement to give Members at least 14 days’ notice regarding the indemnity the day before the concession agreement was signed and I’d like to ask the Minister who ultimately is going to take responsibility for that happening. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 7, oral questions. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department also states in the Auditor General’s report that Members were kept informed of the financial requirements of the project. In February 2008, the regulations were amended to allow for an indemnity in the lender protection agreement in favour of the trustee and the lenders. Whose decision was that to change the regulations and how they notified the Members of those regulations being changed? Thank you.