Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve had many questions over the past six years related to the Deh Cho Bridge Project. Today I want to direct my questions to the Minister of Finance. I mentioned it previously, and I mentioned it again today, that this project certainly has the ability to cripple our government’s finances not just in the immediate future but well into the future. I would like to ask the Minister how exactly the Department of Finance is working with the Minister of Transportation and the Department of Transportation on trying to get a handle on what the real impact of this project is going to mean to our finances.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve been working very closely with myself and the Minister of Transportation and Cabinet. By my rough estimation, I think I’ve spent about 10 hours this session before committee on various aspects of the bridge where we’re engaged fully with committee on a plan coming forward that we believe will help in due course and allow us to get this project on the final footing that needs to get completed, recognizing that it is going to be a self-liquidating investment. It will be paid back through the tolls that are raised. This is a huge priority, as the Member has pointed out, and we are working together to come to a process that we can finally focus on the construction and get the bridge completed.
I’d like to ask the Minister of Finance what would an additional $165.5 million do to our debt wall and our ability to borrow for other projects.
Keeping in mind once again that the $165 million is for the most part self-liquidating, but, as the Member well knows, if we add that number to the debt that’s already available, it would put us past our borrowing limit if that was a worst-case scenario.
It wouldn’t be the first time that I ask questions in this House for the benefit of the public. I do already certainly have an understanding of what’s at play, but again I think the public has the right to know. I’d like to ask the Minister of Finance what the status is of our relationship with the lenders on this project.
First let me say that we as well are in the accountability business that the public has a right to know. The discussion in the House has always been in terms of the information that is available at what time to allow and the appropriate time, so that the government in fact is able to complete the work on whatever the issue may be and not be in a situation where the confidential information is discussed in the House. Our relationship with the lenders is one where we’re continuing to work with them within the terms of the agreement to make sure that this bridge gets built.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my statement, the contract with Ruskin was signed off I believe just yesterday. Considering that contract has been signed off, I’m wondering why the government is reluctant to let the public know the details behind their relationship with the lenders and the disposition financially of this project.
The Member is aware of the process that we have before us that we’ve agreed to. We will be coming forward once we finish the necessary work and take all the steps that are necessary for a full debate and discussion and disclosure. Until that time we need the time to be able to conclude that process in due course and in a manner that befits the complex nature of the process. We are fully intending to have that discussion. There is no hesitation. We just want to make sure it’s done appropriately when we have all the pieces in place that we can stand up and lay it all out.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
