Debates of June 2, 2006 (day 4)

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Statements

Member’s Statement On Due Diligence For New Housing Proposals

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak on the Novel housing concept. Mr. Speaker, for me the rules of engagement for this government in the ATCO Novel housing is pretty straightforward. It is very straightforward. We, the people of the NWT, are to get a real good deal by taking over the used workforce trailers from the pipeline company after it is finished with them. We are lobbying for ATCO to get this contract, in the hopes that we will end up with at least 830 used but converted mobile homes at the end of the day at a cost better than anything else comparable, certainly a lot cheaper than stick-built homes and presumably a lot better than unused, unconverted, brand new mobile homes in the market. Mr. Speaker, I have to ask, where is the evidence? The government has spent already hundreds of thousands of dollars on touring the facilities and staffing. Yesterday, in the House and in committee, the Minister tells us, in fact, it will cost us more to buy the used ATCO trailers and convert them to Novel housing than the conventional approach under its own affordable housing initiative. This is not taking into consideration all the liability this government is assuming on this project, Mr. Speaker, because the Minister said we would get 530 units spending $100 million and yet we will spend twice as much to get only 300 more.

Mr. Speaker, if this is such a great project, I would like to suggest a few things and one is that the government should stay out of this project. ATCO is a big company; they have all the resources; they can do their own lobbying. Let them bear all the liability, let them buy those trailers or keep those trailers because it is their trailers they’re making, they’re going to rent it to the pipeline companies. Let them convert them, let them transport them and then the government could be the biggest buyer for them. If the government insists on assuming this liability, I have to insist on better numbers, on a better deal and better due diligence. The only way for this government to be transparent and responsible on this project is to do a tender. The government must send out a tender and say, for $200 million, who can provide us…

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Sandy Lee, your time for Member's statement has expired.

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

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I challenge you and challenge this House; we have to at least ask the industry to see what they can do with $200 million in terms of providing housing. At the end of the day, ATCO could be the winner, but we would all be aboveboard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause