Debates of November 27, 2007 (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya. They get back to the Deh Cho Bridge project and the concession agreement that was alluded to earlier and was signed on the 28th of September, three days prior to the territorial election on October 1st. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation, what was the communications plan with the public on detailing the concession agreement? When they went to Fort Providence with the shovels and the photo op, that was when the limited approval was signed off, the concession agreement, an integral part of the Deh Cho Bridge project, and should have been something that was mentioned. It hasn’t been mentioned and it was two months ago. I’d like to ask the Minister when the department was going to mention that publicly. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya.

Return To Question 17-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT, in its discussions with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation members, will discuss the public release of the concession agreement.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 17-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Considering that the concession agreement was signed on September the 28th, I’m wondering how effective the negotiations between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation could have been when, if in fact they were working on an October 1st deadline, how could the government negotiate a fair agreement if October 1st was the deadline to negotiate? At the 11th hour, the agreement was signed on the 28th of September. It’s two months later and no word from the department on the signing of that document. I think that’s absurd, Mr. Speaker, and I’d like to ask the Minister what is the communications plan going forward with that concession agreement and what the liability is for the Government of the Northwest Territories on that project? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 17-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the concession agreement has been signed on the 28th of September, as Members know. The concession agreement, there are still 12 schedules and appendices that still need to be finalized. We have to have that discussion with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation; we have to have that discussion with Members here. Mr. Speaker, once that is done and we feel confident with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation releasing public documents, we will do that.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 17-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I’m wondering why the government would sign the concession agreement on the 28th of September -- a multi-million dollar deal, a multi-year deal -- without, again, the approval of the Members of the last Legislative Assembly. It looks like the project is full steam ahead; the concession agreement has been signed. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister if he would entertain a full public inquiry as to the decision-making process on this project. I think the public deserves to know…

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Thank you for your question. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 17-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the concession agreement is still not finalized, so we are unable to have any type of discussion in terms of public relations. Mr. Speaker, there are many factors involved in this complex agreement with the many parties involved. Until we have the discussions, the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and our government here, in terms of how we’re going to release that document, I am going to say that it’s confidential right now and there are other factors that need to be considered before I have any further discussion with any type of advancement of the concession agreement.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 17-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m not a lawyer, but it would seem to me the first question that I would ask is why would a government sign a document with 12 outstanding issues? That’s foolhardy, Mr. Speaker. That’s why I think we need a public inquiry as to why that concession agreement was signed on the 28th of September. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to a public inquiry? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 17-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the concession agreement still needs to be finalized. Mr. Speaker, this department is still confident that this bridge is a good project and that this deal will be good for the Northwest Territories. I will still hold to our process with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation in terms of finalizing the concession agreement before it can get released to the public. Again, I say, there are many factors involved in putting a complex project like this together and I will do so when I have the confidence of the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation to release the concession agreement.