Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that there have been some tenders let in the Mackenzie Delta region. Yet some of these items haven’t even been approved by this House. In one case, it was deferred ’til the May-June session. Mr. Speaker, also part of those tendering documents called for materials to be delivered in 2009.
I’d like to ask the Premier: are we spending money in this fiscal year which hasn’t been budgeted for in this House? Also, why is it that we are allocating contracts for next year, which is April 2009, when we’re not even to April 2008 yet?
Mr. Speaker, in our processes, we are beginning our budgeting cycle. Normally, budgets would be brought in place and voted in this House for April 1 and beyond. We’re coming forward with an interim process, and then May-June is the main sitting, as we’ve worked out with Members.
Some departments, as stated in the House yesterday, have come forward with a larger part because of some contracting issues, and those may be incorporated. But without the specifics, I am unable to give a full response.
Mr. Speaker, the information was provided to the Government House Leader this morning, when I had a discussion with him on this matter.
Again, as a government we are going through a deficit-cutting process here. Yet the departments are spending money for the following year, when we are telling people we have to cut our budget and we have to cut programs and services. But the departments continue to put out contracts for services they don’t need, almost, in some cases, two years down the road.
I’d like to ask the Premier: could he look into this situation? If this is a trend of the departments, I think that we should maybe put the brakes on that in light of the deficit situation we find ourselves in.
Again, once I have the details of those specific issues that the Member has raised, I would be willing to look into that and get the proper information to see why these are happening, if they’re tied to previous monies.
Everything we put out there, there’s a caveat that if departments are going forward, it’s based on approvals of this Assembly for new dollars. But I would gladly sit down with the Member and get that detail.
The time for question period has expired; however, I will allow the Member a supplementary question.
Mr. Speaker, also in one case the project was deferred until we went through a line item with the Premier in regard to an appropriation in which certain items were withdrawn from the budget because they weren’t classified as urgent.
I’d just like to ask the Premier: if they’re not classified as urgent, why are government departments putting out contracts, and yet we’re deferring projects in our budget process?
Mr. Speaker, we’ll be — later on today, I hope, and throughout the rest of our session — dealing with specifics as we proceed and looking for approvals from this Assembly.
Again, for the specific areas, I need to get the details and actually sit down with the Member and see where things are.
Final, short supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Mr. Speaker, the construction industry gets frustrated with government contracts when they put out tenders. They put them on the bind for one or two years where they have to hold these products, or they deliver the products a year or two in advance, yet they have to front the money.
I’d just like to ask the Premier if he can maybe look at how we’re putting out contracts and work with either the Construction Association or the private industry to see if there are ways that we can do this better by way of our tendering process.
Mr. Speaker, we are in fact looking at the whole area of our contracting practices, the timing we let out our contracts, our processes that are incorporated to date. We’ve instructed a committee led by Minister Michael McLeod to review this process and come back with recommendations on the area of contracting and existing practices. Thank you.
The time for question period has expired.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.
Unanimous consent granted.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two pages that have been serving in our Legislature this week who are from Hay River South. I would like to thank them for a job very well done. They are Mikaela Muller and Danelle Stelmack. Thank you, girls.
I’d like to recognize and thank the Chipewyan interpreter, trainees, instructors and elders that have been here all week.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize today a constituent from Enterprise who is in town for business. Winnie Cadieux is a former mayor of Enterprise. I’d like to say welcome to her.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize two pages in the House from my constituency, Brooke Edwards and Steve Gruben, who are from Aklavik and who are here this week. I’d like to thank them for coming, and I hope they enjoy their stay. Mahsi.
Later on today, colleagues, I will be tabling a report from the Auditor General’s office on the review of NWT Housing Corporation. I’m pleased to welcome into the House three individuals from the office of the Auditor General: Mr. Andrew Ross, Stephanie Nielson, and David Bourne. Welcome to the proceedings of the House.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize the pages, Alexandra and Kaitlyn, from the Weledeh riding. They’ve been doing a great job. It’s great to see them here. Thank you.
If we’ve missed anyone in the gallery, welcome to the House. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings.
