Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is to replace a building that is currently 30 years old to store forest fire equipment and supplies. It’s 80 square metres, and it’s a cold storage building.

Mr. Chairman, I’m of the opinion and I believe on record that we’ve already committed to that process.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee concurs with all Committee of the Whole motions previously adopted to amend Tabled Document 93-16(2); and further, that consideration of Tabled Document 93-16(2) be now concluded and that Tabled Document 93-16(2), as amended, be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you.

The normal course of practice is that the Government of the Northwest Territories doesn’t pay for damages when the road has been maintained. If there are specific circumstances where there’s litigation and we’re named in the case, that would be a different matter. But as just a general matter of course the practice is that where the road has been maintained to the appropriate standard, we don’t approve payment for claims of damages.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to refer that question to Minister Michael McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The commitment has already been made that there’s not going to be any loss of rental revenue. The commitment is made to the current landlords that their space would still be used by government. Ninety-three per cent of what we now currently have in Inuvik is leased, when the average is 60 per cent lease, 40 per cent rent.

So it’s very clear that we have a commitment to supporting the private sector in Inuvik, to the point where it’s been noticed that, in fact, we are over-represented on one side of that particular breakdown. The years of the leases for all existing...

The vehicles and ATVs and such, I understand, are all bought out of O&M. Clearly, the issue the Member raises is one that we’re concerned about and are paying attention to. As I’ve indicated, I’ve had discussions with the deputy about those concerns. My understanding is that the issue is on its way to being addressed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For the benefit of the Member let me just restate that we’ve made a significant number of commitments between Education and Public Works and the Financial Management Board to work to see if we can move this project with all alacrity, to get it and see what is possible by this coming year, ’09–10, in the summer. But there were a number of ifs, as the Member from Hay River is aware. I’ve asked Mr. Aumond if he could speak to the issue of how much has been expended to date on the Diamond Jenness project.

The Finance Minister at the time was still Premier Roland.

I do, Mr. Chairman.