Debates of May 15, 2007 (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Northstar is a local organization that, as of recently, used to offer assistance to our employees through the Employee Family Assistance Program. They lost the contract and, Mr. Speaker, sometimes it’s a reality that comes to the competitive bid process. However, they lost it to a southern firm, a national firm that, in my opinion, misrepresented themselves with key information that I believe underpins their bid. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Human Resources who is truly aware of this issue and the circumstances under what’s going on. Mr. Speaker, is it a practice of this government to honour contracts with organizations that underpin their information to win a bid with false information? Is it a practice that we honour that contract? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Human Resources, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 88-15(6): Contract For GNWT Employee Assistance Plan

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not certain that this could be characterized as a situation where information was false. There was an issue with one of the subcontractors being included in the initial response to the RFP who should not have been included. That was an issue, but it was explained as an inadvertent mistake and the company has apologized for that inclusion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. I’ll caution Members to not be bringing up outfits or individuals that aren’t here to defend themselves. I’ll allow the supplementary question, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 88-15(6): Contract For GNWT Employee Assistance Plan

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate that. Mr. Speaker, I’m sure the firm that’s offering this program offers competent programs but, Mr. Speaker, the fact is that they misrepresented themselves and the Minister doesn’t seem to characterize false information or misrepresentation as a no-no. Mr. Speaker, what investigation has the Minister done to ensure that this was either the only issue or what other issues may have arisen? Because if you’re putting in a proposal that is not full and true, this government should not be honouring it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 88-15(6): Contract For GNWT Employee Assistance Plan

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve had the process reviewed by the BIP office at ITI. I’ve had the process reviewed by the Department of Justice and by Public Works. The advice that we have received is that we should continue with awarding the contract, or the contract should stand as awarded. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 88-15(6): Contract For GNWT Employee Assistance Plan

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, Mr. Speaker, I’m sure the Minister is quite accurate on all that information, but I’ll tell you, the public opinion of what seems to be right and wrong sometimes dances a different line and to a different tune than maybe what legally may be correct. I’ll tell you, people out there would think that folks providing false information on a competitive tender is wrong. I do. So, Mr. Speaker, what is the Minister doing to address this ethical question that seems to be overlooked? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 88-15(6): Contract For GNWT Employee Assistance Plan

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I’ve said, the process was reviewed by three agencies of government and we have been advised that we really have no other recourse than to ensure that, while the contract is being delivered, we are vigilant in ensuring that the terms offered by the current contractor are lived up to. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 88-15(6): Contract For GNWT Employee Assistance Plan

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, Mr. Speaker, let’s be honest; we’re not talking about a typo here; we’re talking about a company that misrepresents themselves with false information by saying we will offer a service by bringing forward this professional who’s competent. Mr. Speaker, I think we’re really down to an ethical question that the Minister should be asking himself. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister go back and review this and do the right decision by pulling back this contract and reissuing a fair tender; therefore, we have all the facts on the table and the most honest and fair process? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 88-15(6): Contract For GNWT Employee Assistance Plan

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue has been reviewed quite thoroughly. As I’ve said, we’ve had it looked at by the Department of Justice, by the Department of Public Works and by the BIP monitoring office at ITI and we are following their advice, which is to ensure that we monitor very closely the performance of the current contractor to ensure that they are living up to the terms of the contract. Thank you.