Floyd Roland

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Northwest Territories Public Accounts 2006-2007. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question the Member asked is, one, was I aware of the signing of the concession agreement. In the previous Assembly, a decision was made to proceed with that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the project is one that is there in its form. We have worked with a number of issues around that. The information about the cost of the project, the fact that there will be a toll fee on this project qualifies it as we’ve had discussions, or the Government of the Northwest Territories had a discussion with the federal government qualifies for what the P3 program is going to be established around. But they haven’t moved far enough on the area of the whole P3 process that they’ve undergone. The fact that individuals and companies will feel that impact because...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has in the past looked at P3 programs, in fact entered into one project, looking at a number, then moved away from that process. I’ve discussed with a number of Ministers and we’ve set up a Cabinet committee to look at the whole question of infrastructure and how we get that infrastructure. So this will be one of the matters that we will direct them to work on, as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I am able to do, there are some rules that we operate by in looking at previous decisions. But as the information we have and what is outstanding and my commitment to Members of this House is to look at this project and the process that was used. Again, I would be prepared to sit down with Members. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of a public inquiry is one thing, but going back to the question, I guess the decision of a previous government, in a sense, what would that accomplish for us? I would instead say, as the 16th Assembly, and as the Premier of the 16th Assembly, I would undertake a review of the processes and the outstanding issues around that project. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, although the Member doesn’t want to go back to the history, the question does go back to the history. A decision was made by a previous government. We’re in a place where there are a number of factors that have to be met for us to honour that agreement. There is no contractual signing for steel or construction. That will be done through the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation once they have all their pieces lined up. That’s where we are right now with the project. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would state the same thing I stated when the question was asked in the form it was asked, that there are some key, as an out quote from unedited Hansard of October 19th, “There are some key issues that are still left out there and one of those that was in the paper for public interest was that navigable waters permit. So that’s one of those things, and a final financing deal that comes down.” So there’s a number of factors. Right now we’re liable for the loan guarantee that’s in place until these requirements are met. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, whether we’re splitting hairs or not, I responded to the questions that were given to me about the liability, about some of the commitments that we’ve made. Yes, I know it is a sensitive issue, but a decision had been made. In hindsight, I could go back and say, if the question was asked of me, I would have to respond in the affirmative, and maybe I should have at that point, but I was taking questions from every Member on every portfolio. So I apologize if I wasn’t sincere enough or clear enough, but, as Hansard would show, I was responding to the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, as the decision was made by the previous Assembly to proceed. Thank you.