David Ramsay

We’re pressing forward, we have negotiated a one-sided deal with one company. Again, the public purse is not being protected here. Mark my words, we have set ourselves up for further cost overruns on this project by not tying off all of the loose ends. Taxpayers will again be taken for another ride on the second half of this project. We have set the stage, Mr. Speaker, for it to be a very expensive ride.

Mr. Speaker, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again today, that this project has the possibility of crippling the Territory’s finances. Mr. Speaker, this is the sad reality we are faced...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, March 8, 2010, I’ll move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that this Legislative Assembly requests that the Auditor General of Canada undertake a special audit of the Deh Cho Bridge Project and report thereon to the Legislative Assembly; and further, that this audit investigate the long-term financial implications of the partnership arrangement, compliance with the Financial Administration Act, Deh Cho Bridge Corporation Act and the financial policies of the Government of the Northwest...

Thank you. I’m wondering if the Minister could let potential residents of the Northwest Territories, those that are P2 -- they’re not aboriginal -- long-term residents of the Northwest Territories that want to have access to mine training today, where do they go and who do they look to for the training that’s required to get a job at one of our mines. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ve got a few questions for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. I wanted to ask him a little bit about mine training in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, the concern has been brought to me by constituents about the lack of available mine training for P2s. Now, we certainly have the Mine Training Society and opportunities for P1s to get access to training for jobs that are producing diamond mines, but, Mr. Speaker, there seems to be a lack of any available training for P2s, long-term residents of the Northwest Territories. I’d like to...

It wouldn’t be the first time that I ask questions in this House for the benefit of the public. I do already certainly have an understanding of what’s at play, but again I think the public has the right to know. I’d like to ask the Minister of Finance what the status is of our relationship with the lenders on this project.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve had many questions over the past six years related to the Deh Cho Bridge Project. Today I want to direct my questions to the Minister of Finance. I mentioned it previously, and I mentioned it again today, that this project certainly has the ability to cripple our government’s finances not just in the immediate future but well into the future. I would like to ask the Minister how exactly the Department of Finance is working with the Minister of Transportation and the Department of Transportation on trying to get a handle on what the real impact of this project is...

Mr. Speaker, when might that be? Are we talking a week? Are we talking a month? Are we talking three months, Mr. Speaker? I’m wondering if the Minister could be a little bit more specific when the government is going to have all the pieces wrapped up so that they can go to the local media with the financial situation that is at play with the Deh Cho Bridge Project. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation when the department and the government plan on having a briefing with the media on the financial disposition of this project. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister whether or not the financial disposition of the project will be discussed during this technical briefing with the media. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve got a question for the Minister of Transportation. Earlier today a media release went out that there will be a press conference or media event held this afternoon at 2:30 at the Lahm Ridge Tower. I’d like to ask the Minister -- we have media facilities here at the Legislative Assembly -- why that event was held off site at the Lahm Ridge Tower and not here at the Legislative Assembly, pertaining to the Deh Cho Bridge. Thank you.