Debates of October 20, 2017 (day 4)

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Written Question 2-18(3): Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Modular Units Construction

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

In announcing the decision to Concept Energy Services to supply modular housing units, the Minister indicated that the units could be provided at a cost 25 to 48 per cent lower than by stick-built construction. Contracts are now being let to complete construction of modular units at additional costs. Can the Minister tell this House what the additional costs for completion of the units delivered unfinished to communities will be, and:

whether modular construction will in fact be cheaper than community-based stick built construction, given the need to pay contractors to complete the buildings;

whether the original calculation of construction cost savings included the payment of a cash advance to Concept Energy Services;

the amount of any advance and the contract conditions to be met in return for the advance; and;

given that providing cash advances to contractors is not the normal practice of the Housing Corporation, why it was included in this contract.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.