Debates of March 30, 2004 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member’s statement, my question today is for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, as I stated, there have been lots of less-than-good behaviour on the part of the Cabinet and the Housing Corporation in the way they have dealt with this. Mr. Speaker, I think that exempting BIP, exempting themselves from their own policy, requires a justification. We still have not been provided with any evidence that proves that to us. We still do not have any documents, although the Ministers have promised for the last week or so.

Second of all, I’m providing the Minister with information that tells us there are at least two, if not more, northern businesses who could do this, who could deliver the goods on time with or without BIP, who would have maximum economic spin-offs by creating jobs and building our tax money here and everything. So I would like to know -- the only thing I think they need is more time than three weeks to put together a plan for 45 homes -- if the Minister would consider extending the contract time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 110-15(3): Justification For Waiving The Business Incentive Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my information tells me that we have had over 30 tenders picked up today and of those 30, 17 are from the North. Now we will consider, we have committed in yesterday’s question period, to reviewing this whole initiative with Cabinet on Thursday. There is going to be some concern because there are a number of tender documents being processed right now. However, if there is a concern raised by the Member needing more time, how much more time that is I’m not sure, we do have a real tight time frame in this situation. A portion of these units are intended to go onto the barges and we need to have them in place by September. We may be able to defer a portion of it. I can’t say that with any certainty. We can certainly look at it, but at this point I can’t make that commitment. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 110-15(3): Justification For Waiving The Business Incentive Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Among many anomalies in this process, one of the things I’ve learned also is that the tender documents that were put out for this contract did not even have specifications as to what exactly the Housing Corporation was looking for. They didn’t even have square footage that they were looking for. I have no idea how the Housing Corporation or Cabinet do their calculations if they don’t even know those kinds of assumptions or don’t put them out there. I don’t know how they expect the businesses to apply for it.

Anyway, okay. Thank you. Mr. Speaker…

---Laughter

I have been here long enough to know that the pressure on Cabinet is considerably lessened if we’re not here to push them. I don’t know if we’re going to be here tomorrow. I am not going to take the word from the Minister. I would like to know if the Minister is really open and Cabinet is open to revisiting this situation, changing their minds and to extending this contract by two weeks. I’m asking for two weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 110-15(3): Justification For Waiving The Business Incentive Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’re taking note of the concerns raised in Committee of the Whole and certainly in this House. We take all the questions very seriously. The question to defer by two weeks we will put forward. Our tendered document that the Member has referenced as not having a lot of detail, I’d like to point out to the Member that this document is something I’m prepared to table. It’s a supply tender for commodity. It is not a construction contract. We are looking for a lowest-priced tender in this case. It does meet the technical requirements. The question again for the two weeks is something we may be able to accommodate. I would certainly take it seriously and bring it forward and respond as soon as possible. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 110-15(3): Justification For Waiving The Business Incentive Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Minister mentioned there are lots of businesses that have picked up the tenders, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that as many businesses are going to be able to actually meet the bidding requirements and have them back on April 2nd, because my understanding is the notice for this sort of project for these houses was so short and it was only for three weeks. Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to still know when he’s prepared to give us the background information on which the Cabinet decided to waive the BIP. We still don’t have that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 110-15(3): Justification For Waiving The Business Incentive Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just got the package and it’s being copied right now and will be distributed to the Members. It’s in the works as we speak and I apologize for being late by a day. The commitment for Monday was a tough one to meet.

---Laughter

Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 110-15(3): Justification For Waiving The Business Incentive Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think he’s at least four days late on that information. Mr. Speaker, I accept that the Minister is an honourable Member and I’m willing to trust his commitment, but I want to know from the Minister and I want him to clarify that he would, in fact, go to Cabinet and ask for a two-week extension. Not just, I will see what I can do, but would he commit to asking for a two-week extension? Yes or no, please, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 110-15(3): Justification For Waiving The Business Incentive Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will run that through the Housing Corporation to see if we can deal with the deadline. That is the biggest concern at this point. I will guarantee the Member that I will take this issue to Cabinet and indicate the different arguments that have come forward on why we should extend the tendering process for another two weeks. Thank you.