Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A couple of months ago I spoke strongly about the procurement dealings of this government on the highway for bypass project. I am returning once again to this House on such topic.
I indicated then, this is not the last time I will be speaking to the House for the ill-fitted Negotiated Contracts Policy and how such policy undermines our territory’s ability to protect public first in what is already an established market economy.
You see, few disagree that Yellowknife itself is at full market capacity. As such, things are very competitive in the highway construction industry. All businesses, large and small, strongly depend on the ability to bid competitively on contracts to meet the needs of their workers and overall business survival. Negotiated contracts in what is deemed a market economy do not make sense and, in my humble opinion, goes against the grain of such policy intent.
My broad brush approach on this subject has always been about the policy itself in areas where capacity building is not required, and that any further destruction of the use of such policy in already established economies will do nothing more than create division, and upset the established competitive advantages of the taxpayer.
Interestingly enough, this very community is in a divisive stance right now. The root cause of this community’s standoff is occurring a mere stone’s throw from this Legislative Assembly and is being fueled by anger, confusion and lack of trust from the government being transparent and open with its people.
For months now I have been asking this government and the Transportation Minister for a Cabinet justification paper on the highway for bypass project. Shamefully, I must indicate to the Members of this House that I received a formal response only this morning, the first day of session. What I received was not a Cabinet justification paper but reference to a confidential Cabinet decision paper that will not be shared with the Regular Members. Not only is this not fair to the Members of the House and the residents of the NWT, but to the proponent itself who is patiently waiting and wondering why this government has not signed the negotiated contract papers.
One needs to ask: Why the delays? Why the secrecy? Interestingly, an article today in our local paper caught my attention and sheds an even more unique spin to the already controversial subject before us. The writer talks about the Negotiated Contracts Policy in reference to the great Trojan horse style of politics, where metaphorically this government is allowing backdoor, hidden agendas and deals to infiltrate our public purse. Cleverly, the writer envisions that capacity building could also produce an air of ill-fated cannibalism of sorts amongst government oversubscribed companies. In essence, the very aspect of helping build capacity itself will create destruction of others. If memory serves me, let’s hope that fate for the people of the Northwest Territories will not fall for this same level of catastrophe as the villagers of Troy.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
I will be discussing once again during oral questions with the Minister of Transportation on this subject to make sure that taxpayers and residents of NWT are getting a fair price for this project, that money is being spent in the North and that jobs are truly going to Northerners. In the end, I have said all along that opportunity, not exclusivity, is to be the way of this government, and that transparency and accountability cannot take a backseat for the people of the Northwest Territories.
I ask once again for this government, the Minister of Transportation and the department to come forward with clean hands and to justify why an exclusive highway contract was used in Yellowknife. I believe we owe it to the hardworking taxpayers, a fair and reasonable explanation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
