Robert C. McLeod

I do, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, as I said before, we are not the contractor, however we can encourage all the groups that are involved to try and resolve any outstanding issues, because we want this to be a project that's had a lot of positive effect and will have a lot of positive effect. So we'll encourage them to try and resolve their issues and then again, as I said before, I will keep committee apprised as to the proceedings.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, to my right I have Dr. Erin Kelly who is the acting deputy minister for Environment and Natural Resources, to my left I have Susan Craig who is the director of finance and administration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, the contractor has made great efforts in the Sahtu to make good on many of the outstanding invoices. There might have been a few that fell through the cracks. Apparently there was a meeting in Fort Good Hope and nothing was really raised during the meeting. As a matter of fact, it was quite positive and they were appreciative of the work they have this upcoming winter. I can say that of the $32 million in local spending, employment as long as 2016 the Sahtu has enjoyed the benefits of $21 million in project spending. I can assure the Member and all Members of this House and the...

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my understanding, and I think Mr. Koe pointed it out before, was that this latest upgrade will get us to 2024 and then a determination will be made then what the next steps are. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I'm not personally aware of it; maybe the department is, but what I will ask them to do is to do some research into the issue that the Member speaks of. I mean it's unfortunate that we have to be having this discussion on the pension of those employees in Hay River for -- or all the employees of NTCL. But I will commit to the Member that I'll do further research. I'll ask the department to maybe have a conversation with Ontario, see exactly what it is that they do there.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we find that this is a system that works for the government's needs very good. It does have to process a lot of information. One of the benefits, as Mr. Koe pointed out, was that we do get support from the vendor when we purchase their product. After 2024, I am not sure what the plan is going to be. If there is another upgrade to the system that we are quite comfortable with, then we will continue to use it. But we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

Just as an example, in the 2015-16 fiscal year, SAM, or the System for Accountability and Management...

Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that the GNWT had a standing in the Royal Oak proceeding so it was easier to intervene and make representation. I said before, we have limited exposure with NTCL. We don’t have a standing in the bankruptcy proceedings, so it would be difficult for us to do so, and it's also assumed that the pensioners and affected employees are suitably represented in the proceedings.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, to my right I have Mr. David Stewart, deputy minister of Finance. To my left, I have skip Jamie Koe who is our Comptroller General.

Mr. Speaker, I can work with my federal counterpart and see what they have in the works for this particular area and see what the next steps are, and again, we will work closely with them and the community to see if we can advance the community's wishes.