Debates of October 21, 2008 (day 45)
Member’s Statement on Inuvik Schools Replacement Project
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to summarize for the record what we have learned about the process for the acquisition of a few replacement schools in Inuvik.
No one will dispute that the Inuvik schools were old and in need of being replaced. The process that ensued, however, raises questions for me about the role of Ministers and Premiers in performing their duties as Cabinet Ministers in relation to their work as representatives of their constituencies.
We don’t expect Minister’s constituencies to be passed over for enhanced program services or infrastructure, but neither would I expect that they would get any preferential treatment by the Cabinet. Every Cabinet Minister of this government owes a duty of fairness to all communities, regions and constituencies in the NWT.
The government was approached with the idea of a negotiated contract for what has become known as the super school in Inuvik. The negotiated contract was supported by community leaders, including the local MLAs, as evidenced by letters of support. From there we are told, and I accept, that the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake removed himself from Cabinet deliberations. Former Premier Joe Handley signed off the Cabinet record of decision. In conjunction with that, however, at least two more records of decisions from the Financial Management Board were signed off by the Chair, also the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.
The thing that still remains unclear for me is how it would be Cabinet policy for the Member signing a letter of support to be removed from discussing a project but could subsequently chair deliberations and ultimately sign off on the ensuing decision.
I’m not pleased with the length that I had to go doing questioning to get this amount of information. This is a public government, and it is spending public funds and making decisions that need to be transparent and accountable and publicly defendable. I’m limited in the answers I can get in this House.
Mr. Speaker, now that this process has revealed this seeming lack of clarity in the policy of Cabinet and the process, I am going to be referring my questions regarding this process to someone who can get the answers to ensure that Cabinet policies remove any appearance or perception of conflict when Members of Cabinet are performing their duties in relation to their own constituency. I think this will be beneficial for everyone and will not allow Members to hide behind superficial answers like the ones I received initially, professing non-participation, only to find out that both financial appropriations were signed off….
Mrs. Groenewegen, time for your Member’s statement has expired.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks, colleagues. I am sorry; I am not feeling well today and not doing as good a job of communicating as I should be. As I said, I believe that we can get answers to these questions and we can bring clarity to these policies. I think it will be to the benefit of everyone, and that is what I intend to do.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.