Kevin O'Reilly

Merci, Monsieur le President. A Legislative Assembly e-petition has been started asking that some of the funds raised through the Western Canada Lottery program, which now go entirely to Sports and Recreation, be used to fund arts activities. This issue was also raised during the recent public hearing on Bill 1, the Western Canada Lottery Act. At that hearing, the MACA Minister left open the door a crack to develop a definition for recreation, but only in consultation with the sports and recreation groups. So how can we go about improving our government's investment in the arts?

Later today I...

Merci, Monsieur le President. I have four documents to table. First is "Gwich'in Open to Discussion Consultation about Premier's 'Red Alert' Statement" dated November 3, 2017.

The next one is "News Release Premier 'Red Alert' Statement from Taicho Government" dated November 7, 2017.

The next one is "Reconciliation Efforts Welcomed by Inuvialuit Regional Corporation" dated November 6, 2017. The last one is Dene Nation News Release "We, the Dene, Need to Govern Ourselves as a Right to Self-Determination" dated November 2, 2017. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

I'd like to again thank the Minister for that information. That's helpful. I understand Fairfax is a big company, so this is good news, I think. Earlier today, I talked about the need to improve communications around what's happening with the Stanton Renewal Project. Certainly I think this side of the House would like to get more information. How does the Minister intend to keep the Regular MLAs and the public informed of what is going on with Carillion Canada and the Stanton Renewal Project, and would he agree it's time for a technical briefing for Regular MLAs?

Merci, Monsieur le President. I know the Minister of Finance has had a busy day, but I'm going to have to put him to work again. Carillion Canada has now gone into creditor protection. It's the main Stanton Renewal equity investor for construction of the new hospital, the contractor to service and maintain the new hospital following completion, and it is involved in the remediation of the existing hospital for other uses.

In reviewing the project agreement, there are many triggers if something starts to go off the rails. Can the Minister tell us whether the Boreal Health Partnership or any of...

Merci, Monsieur le President. Thanks to the Minister for those commitments to improve communications. It will be very helpful. The Ontario Auditor General found major problems with P3s in that jurisdiction that cost those taxpayers billions of dollars. What lessons has our government learned from P3s, and how will it apply them to the Tlicho all-season road, another proposed P3 project? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

I'd like to thank the Minister for his response. It's helpful to get that information. Carillion Canada's website contains a news release dated February 5th that states: "Fairfax Financial Holdings has entered into an agreement with Carillion to acquire 'select health care facilities.'" I've asked the Minister whether the Stanton Renewal project is amongst the select health care facilities that might be sold to Fairfax, but haven't got an answer yet. Can the Minister tell us whether the Stanton Renewal and existing hospital remediation projects are part of the agreement by Fairfax to acquire...

Merci, Monsieur le President. The Stanton Renewal Project was raised from the south several times yesterday. Regular Members have had to make numerous inquiries of the Minister of Finance to try to find out what is going on and the implications for us here, in the Northwest Territories. Even though I have suggested a more proactive public communications effort, Stanton Renewal Project website has not had much added to it for some time and there is almost nothing about the recent events with regard to one of the major partners Carillion Canada, which is in creditor protection.

To try to get...

Merci, Monsieur Ie President. I would like to table the following document entitled "The Collapse of P3 Giant Carillion and Its Implications" by John Loxley, professor at the University of Manitoba. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Merci, Monsieur le President, and I would like to thank the Premier for providing that clarity on that particular issue, but, given that the Premier has issued a challenge for debate on the future of the Northwest Territories on the floor of the House of Commons in Ottawa, it is surprising that there has been no similar call here at home. Is the Premier ready and willing to have an emergency debate on the so-called Red alert and future of the Northwest Territories here on the floor of this House? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the Premier for his valiant defence of the red alert. He did not really answer the question about prior consultation, and I will table the news releases from the Indigenous governments in the House tomorrow. In the past, Cabinets retained lobbyists in Ottawa to provide advice on federal engagement. Cabinet currently has a $120,000 sole-sourced contract with communications firm and federal lobbyist Global Public Affairs. Can the Premier tell this House where the idea came from to issue the red alert and what role the lobbyist firm has played in the campaign to date?