Louis Sebert

I would have to consult with the department to determine how soon we could provide that to Members opposite.

I want to make it clear that the department is opposed to escapes. If, of course, one does take place, as took place last summer, the public will be advised.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to advise that work is proceeding ahead. There was, of course, an escape from the facility last summer. A consultant was hired to provide the department with a cost estimate. Pending funding approvals, work may begin this summer. I want to assure the public, however, that until the recommended work has been completed, activities and access to the affected area is fully restricted, so there is no danger of another incident of the type that took place last August. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 627-18(2): Taltson River Dam." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would expect that a funding request would be forthcoming in the summer. I can advise, however, that there have been other improvements that will be proceeding. There were two capital projects approved in the 2017-18 capital estimates for the complex, which included a security infrastructure renewal: electronic capacity to a CCTV camera on current fencing; and an improvement of the perimeter fence along the west property line to the main Kam Lake driveway entrance. It is expected that tendered documents on those two projects are currently being prepared for a spring tender and summer...

Mr. Speaker, in a couple of weeks, the Department of Lands will mark its third anniversary. Tasked with managing and administering 1.15 million square kilometres of land in the Northwest Territories, the department has been working to serve residents in a way that reflects the Northwest Territories' interests and priorities.

Our work takes us across the entire Northwest Territories and our staff works with various partners, governments and landowners to ensure we are managing land and resources in a fair and transparent manner.

Much of the way in which we engage, and a standard this government...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents entitled "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 500-18(2): Norman Wells Oilfields Remediation and Reclamation," "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 617-18(2): Maintenance Enforcement Payments," and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 641-18(2): Rental Office Workload Challenges." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When it became evident that this contract was going to be delayed, the Power Corporation looked at its various options. As I mentioned yesterday, to compensate for the lack of delivery, it was agreed with the vendor that they would cover any additional costs, including the cost of modular rental units that were brought into Jackfish in the winter of 2017 to ensure reliability. Because this bid was the lowest bidder, it was thought best to stick with this bid as that would be the best, in the long term, for the ratepayers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this morning CBC published an article quoting from oral questions yesterday. The article repeats a misstatement that I made during my reply to oral question 670-18(2). I would like to take an opportunity to correct the record. Quoting from unedited Hansard, I said:

“I understand that there was a careful evaluation of the bid made by the Power Corporation. The bid from Virdi was the lowest rated, and among the factors looked at was price.”

What I should have said was that Virdi were the highest rated, lowest bidder. I apologize for any misunderstanding this has caused. Thank you, Mr...

Mr. Speaker, obviously, that is to be determined, but I am not expecting that that would be the case. As mentioned earlier, Virdi, the bidder, the successful bidder, will compensate for the additional costs that I mentioned earlier, so we are still expecting this contract to be well under the other bids.