Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 85)

I didn't quite hear the question. I believe the Member said: what do we do if the person isn't following the conditions that they said they would do in the tender? Well, first of all, if a person is not following the conditions of the contract that they were awarded, I suspect that they are subject to penalty or even disqualification of being able to continue to do the work until they rectify what they have bid, to get the bid adjustment to determine that they were awarded this tender that they would have to follow the contract that they signed.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Infrastructure is not in charge of BIP. ITI is in charge of BIP, but Infrastructure follows the BIP policy in our procurement process. When we put out a tender, depending on the size of it, say it's under $1 million, because that's the conversation that we have been having, $1 million under and $1 million over, there is a line in there that you can put, which encourages local use of labour, local use of northern content, local of use of business, and that helps you do your bid adjustment to how much northern content you have. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 85)

When we are negotiating these agreements, internal trade or external international trade agreements, BIP is something, to put in simple terms, that we try to protect for the residents of the Northwest Territories. These things are negotiated through reciprocity agreements, and some provinces do not like the fact that we have this, in particular a couple of western provinces that are totally against it. However, we have been able to negotiate them into it to protect northern businesses and residents.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After our conversation the other day, I talked to my assistant deputy minister, and she is in conversations with BC, and we are actually gathering some more information on internal trade on this issue.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 85)

Mr. Speaker, our territory has no shortage of spectacular sights for visitors and residents to enjoy. Our territorial parks are the starting point for many looking to experience these world-class wonders.

Through the life of this government, and in line with our mandate, we have invested in enhancing these vital assets for the benefit of the growing contingent of tourists choosing the NWT, and our residents seeking to enjoy their recreational time.

With the construction season in full swing, many Northwest Territories residents are already seeing those investments in action. Today I would like...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 85)

We are talking apples and oranges here because on the local procurement, when we are going through procurement for the Northwest Territories, again, let's put it under $1 million. We use our BIP policy to ensure that the most money stays in the Northwest Territories through, as I said, locally used, local northern content, local business. That bid adjustment gives you the upper hand on someone from down south to bid on it. If we are talking about larger projects, say the Slave Geological Province or the Taltson project, the department certainly, along with finance, will sit down and have a...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 84)

This information is all publicly available on the Department of Finance's website, but if the Member will give me the questions, if he sends me an email with the questions, I will commit to getting him all of that information back by the end of the session.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 84)

The Marine Training Centre doesn't follow under the Government of the Northwest Territories, but they are leasing space from us in our facility in Hay River. The Member from the Sahtu and myself actually had a chance. I took him there and gave him a little tour of the facility, met a number of students who are there.

I have said earlier in my Minister's statement around Marine Transportation Services they have delivered hundreds of courses through there. A number of people have been picked up by MTS for employment this year, as well as Canadian Coast Guard that also picked up some people. As I...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 84)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The 2019 sailing season is actually on schedule right now as we predicted going forward, even with the low water levels that have been on the Mackenzie River. We have already been to every community once. Presently, two tugs are northbound out of Hay River. They are going to be going to Norman Wells, Tulita, and Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. From Tuktoyaktuk, there is also going to be another tow going north to look after the Arctic communities. When we are finished that, if sailing allows, we are going to help with the North Warning defence system to do their deliveries...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 84)

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member from Yellowknife South, that Bill 37: An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Operations Act be read for the third time. Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.