David Ramsay

Page 5-22, Finance, activity summary, budget, treasury and debt management, grants and contributions, contributions, $34,000.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, know the work that’s been done down in Vancouver with Northern House and our participation there has been good. I’m not talking about that, Mr. Speaker, I’m talking about a process that’s allowed a former deputy minister to get a sole-source contract with this government. By the sounds of it, the Premier is saying that he’s got this working group of deputy ministers that review former deputy ministers. I think, Mr. Speaker, there’s something wrong with that. Will the Premier commit to having a look at the policy when it comes to sole-sourcing contracts to former...

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thanks, committee. Does committee agree that the Department of Finance main estimates have been concluded?

I’m trying to do 300 into $70,000 real quick. It seems like a very expensive undertaking, but is it the department’s practice to book expenses like this under contracted services? I can see another department perhaps doing it, but I’m just wondering, it doesn’t seem like the right fit under the Department of Executive, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Page 5-18, Finance, activity summary, information item, fiscal policy, active positions.

One of the things that I want to talk about is the process here today on how it’s possible that former deputy ministers get sole-source contracts with this government, and it goes back to the reply to a written question asked by my colleague, Mr. Bromley on a contract with BDK Applied Management Services for consultation and communication services provided to the Department of Finance. I’m just wondering, Mr. Speaker, if we want to talk about process, what process is followed that allows contracts to be sole-sourced to former deputy ministers. What process is this Cabinet and government...

Thank you, Mr. Minister, and welcome, Ms. Melhorn and Mr. Koe, to our proceedings. We’ll open the floor up to general comments on the Department of Finance main estimates. Any general comments? Mr. Yakeleya.

Page 5-34, Finance, information item, work performed on behalf of others.

I don’t need an explanation today, but I’m just wondering why that number wouldn’t be almost exactly like the one that’s in the contract amount under the Department of Executive for that year, 2008-09, and in the main estimates here under 2008-09, under actual. It’s out, like I said, by about $14,000, $15,000. But I can get that information later. It’s fine. Thanks.