Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee defer further consideration of the activity “Education and Culture” under the Department of Education, Culture and Employment — Capital Estimates 2009–2010 on pages 7-7 and 7-8 at this time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this morning I had the opportunity to sit on a panel at CBC to consider the performance of our Premier for his first year in office. The short amount of time did not provide enough time to share all the thoughts I had on this matter.

Last night at the Aboriginal Sport Circle Gala former NHL coach and player Ted Nolan gave the keynote address. A theme he presented from his years of working on or with a team is that we have to learn to win with what we have.

We have a team here. We have chosen our captain, our linesmen, but we have to work with other players that...

Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Miltenberger said that Dowland construction — the majority is owned by the Inuvialuit. I just wondered if the Minister was aware if the Inuvialuit beneficial shareholders benefit directly, monetarily, from the IRC business interests.

I guess the reason I ask that, then, is because I find it curious that this morning, when I was asking questions about this negotiated contract — and I did not direct my questions to the Premier — the questions were not referred to the Minister of Public Works and Services but to the Premier. It’s just an interesting point I want to make: if this was being discussed in the Cabinet Room, the Premier and Finance Minister remove themselves from the room, but when it’s brought up here in the House and there’s a defence to be made for a specific capital project, in fact the Premier would take the...

I know that RODs from FMB and Cabinet are protected and privileged information, but I was wondering if the Minister of Finance could please tell us who signed the record of decision to proceed with this contract.

Can the Minister tell me: what was the date of the letter? I don’t have the letter of intent or the letter that’s been referred to interchangeably as the contract or letter of intent or letter of award. I don’t have that letter in front of me. What’s the date on that letter?

The letter of award that we’re talking about includes money that is yet to be voted on in this appropriation bill that’s before us right now. I’d like to ask Minister Miltenberger if he could clarify that. As far as I know, we haven’t voted on the Department of Education, Culture and Employment appropriation yet for this next phase of the Inuvik schools replacement, yet the letter of award includes that.

Let’s just suppose for a minute that it is legally binding. Isn’t there anything that comes from the FMB or from the Cabinet that would indicate a record of decision that would allow PWS to...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The wish of the committee today is to continue with the Northwest Territories Capital Estimates ’09–10 and carry on where we left off yesterday on the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Thank you.

With respect to this negotiated contract, we have learned that a letter of award…. Well, first of all, when I asked the Minister of Education, he said the contract had been awarded. Then we found out that the contract had been awarded but it was just a letter of intent and that the actual contract had yet to be signed. I said: is it legally binding? They said: no; in fact we have secured a legal opinion to the contrary — that, in fact, the letter to Dowland Contracting is a legally binding document.

I would like to know on whose authority the deputy minister of Public Works was acting under in...

Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress.

Motion carried.