Debates of March 3, 2010 (day 3)
QUESTION 34-16(5): MEDIA BRIEFING ON THE DEH CHO BRIDGE PROJECT
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve got a question for the Minister of Transportation. Earlier today a media release went out that there will be a press conference or media event held this afternoon at 2:30 at the Lahm Ridge Tower. I’d like to ask the Minister -- we have media facilities here at the Legislative Assembly -- why that event was held off site at the Lahm Ridge Tower and not here at the Legislative Assembly, pertaining to the Deh Cho Bridge. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Michael McLeod.
Mr. Speaker, good question, indeed. Mr. Speaker, usually, if there’s going to be a briefing of a political nature or the Minister is going to be involved or MLAs are going to be involved, we’d hold it here. This is a technical briefing provided by our staff, our officials, and it’s more convenient to have it at that facility. That’s the reason for holding it there. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, it must be quite a popular event considering I haven’t seen much for media here in the building today. I’d like to ask the Minister whether or not Members could be given a copy or a transcript of what transpires at the media briefing, technical briefing that was held this afternoon so that we can compare what the government’s telling the media and what they’re telling us. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, there is some suggestion in that comment. However, Mr. Speaker, we’ve given the information to the Member already. He has it. We could give it to him again. It’s the same briefing we provided to the Members yesterday. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister whether or not the financial disposition of the project will be discussed during this technical briefing with the media. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, this is a technical briefing on the construction of the bridge and that’s what the contents of the briefing will be referred to. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m a bit surprised that the government wouldn’t be talking about the financial disposition of the project. I’d like to ask the Minister who’s providing the briefing. Is it the deputy minister of the project management team at this technical briefing? Thank you.
The Members have requested that we provide more information to the public and the Members have requested that we have better communication. We’re trying to do that. We have informed the Members that we would do a technical briefing. We have worked hard to get it prepared. The information will be provided by our officials, including the deputy ministers. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.