Michael Miltenberger
Statements in Debates
Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, the letter of support that the Member references does indicate that there was a plan or discussions underway to negotiate with Dowland for a role and arrangement with the company so that they could take advantage of opportunities both in the North and outside of the North. But our role is not to track or become involved, once again, in the internal negotiations of private companies in terms of whatever their partnership structure is going to be. What we do know is that we have letters of support from Gwich’in, Inuvialuit and all the MLAs in the community of Inuvik supporting this...
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If ECE completes their program reviews through the education side and it’s determined that it’s in the best interests for all concerned that we proceed, then we’ll of course consider that, the same as we did with St. Joe’s here in Yellowknife.
I didn’t quite get the question. Could I ask the Member to repeat it, if she’d be so kind?
Yes.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The other example that was missed, of course, was the major sinkhole on Highway No. 5. I’ll ask Mr. Neudorf to speak to the details.
We’re just going to check the file here. I think it’s July 4, 2008.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have to refer that question to Mr. Neudorf.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If it’s within the money and follows the process, then the department proceeds apace to award the award contracts.
We will of course commit to following the policies and procedures that are going to maximize northern business and employment opportunities. As the contract proceeds, that information will become available, and that will be the evidence that we’d be supplying to the Member, keeping in mind, of course, that the main contractor is a northern owned business with a majority ownership by Inuvialuit as a starting point. We will follow through, as the Member has asked.