Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe the Premier has information that none of us have, because as far as I know, maybe the Premier can share with us on this because as far as I know the company made a final offer and the union does not feel that they can accept the offer. Not because of the details of the package, but because of some of the things that the company's asking for that the company cannot accommodate. I don't see any other extra sources, anything changing that could bring the two parties back together. So maybe the Premier has something to share with us that I'm not aware of. I don't...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier and it's in regards to the ongoing labour dispute between the Ekati diamond mine and the UNW, Mr. Speaker. I made a statement at the beginning of this session about how difficult this situation is for both parties involved. I have written to the Premier on this issue, as well. I am sensitive to the complexities on this. It is an issue that involves two parties in the private sector and it does involve issues under the jurisdiction of the federal government which has the responsibility of labour and other areas. But...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to accept that, but I have to be alarmed by that because we were told by the officials from the department saying that we’re getting calls from all over the place, but none of them work, none of them will work, we’re not going to look at it. That is a very irresponsible thing for the government to do for a $200 million project. I need an objective analysis to make sure that we’re spending $200 million well. So would the Minister tender this project? At least do a request for proposals. What does he have to lose? If this project could stand on its own, it...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, I should say that, as I stated yesterday, I believe this government is going down the right path in terms of providing affordable housing in our communities that are desperately needed under the Affordable Housing Initiative. Mr. Speaker, by spending $100 million over the next three years, we’re going to build 530 units. That’s a great use, and in the process we’re going to build infrastructure and capacity in communities and we need to continue that. What I would like to see, what...

Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to just finish my sentence? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Once again I just want to put my position on record on this motion. Understandably, and I think the chair of the AOC explained the examples that arises out of some of the discussions that we had in the committee that resulted in this recommendation. I am going to be voting in support of this motion, but with conditions. I think you can see from the motion that the committee is wanting the government to do some research on this. It’s very complex and it’s an issue that has layers of implications around it. It is the classic question of balancing the rights of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Premier make a commitment to this House that he would talk to the federal Minister of Labour in order to ascertain that they're paying close attention to this issue, and to see what are the options that the government has to ask them to mediate or whatever federal process there is? I'd like to know if he could report to the House about what his options are in that regard. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that this is within the jurisdiction of the federal Minister of Labour, but there are times when the federal Minister of Labour would intervene, appoint mediators or arbitrators, and the Premier is stating that this is premature. I don't know; I think that this has gone on for a very long time. I think we could even say that the two parties are very far apart. Could the Premier just say what is giving him an indication, what is the bar or the timeline or the landmark that he's looking to see when he thinks that it's time for him or this government to do...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s a 40 percent savings that’s going to be spent on doing project financing, on risk taking, on project management costs. There is so much more liability and cost to this project that we would not otherwise have if we were to buy new housing. New housing, you could buy it at $100 for a square foot as opposed to $120 for ATCO Novel. I want to be proven wrong. I want the Minister to look at it. Would he send out a request for proposals and have the industry answer to this $200 million mega housing project? That is the least that this government…(inaudible)…look...

Mr. Speaker, I believe too that this could be one chance in a lifetime to get a major, major boondoggle. So, Mr. Speaker, I really think that seriously this government has to start comparing apples to apples. The biggest incentive for this ATCO Novel housing is that it is so much cheaper than building stick built, and I agree with that because it costs up to $190 per square foot to build stick built. But it’s about time for the government to compare these used trailers with brand new trailers. Would the Minister do an analysis of how much it would cost us to get 830 new mobile homes...