Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister. And, yes, I was aware in 2023 certainly the BIP had had some changes. I attended the workshop in Inuvik when they implemented -- they were talking about implementing goes. So I guess my question is who was watching? And previously, Mr. Speaker, people would fill out the BIP application but how are we now, I guess, being a little more robust in monitoring that and ensuring that those businesses that fill out that form are actually following through on the commitments they make to northern businesses in that form. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we won't be meeting again now until after Christmas, but I wanted to ensure everyone certainly the work will continue. Mr. Speaker, I've decided to put together a little wish list for Premier Santa and the Members of his workshop that I'd like to see accomplished and hopefully when we get back in February, we'll be discussing a positive change to those items.

The list, Mr. Speaker, would be way too long, and I wouldn't have time in my Member's statement to say them all, but I will highlight a couple, Mr. Speaker:

First of all, I wish for relief for the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, committee wishes to consider Committee Report 18-20(1), Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Administration of the 2023 Territorial General Election.

As well, Mr. Chair, the committee would like to consider Committee Report 17-20(1), Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report by the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And in the past, there has been issues where the following up has kind of taken place halfway through the contract where it puts us in a position oftentimes not to be able to make a change because of the cost associated with that. I guess, can the Minister maybe speak a little more on the penalties and on monitoring these contractors early on in the contract versus previous years it's been a little later in the project. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Northwest Territories businesses expect the government to fulfill its commitment to maximize benefits of spending of public dollars in the North for the North. This is why we have the business incentive policy, Mr. Speaker. The Stanton audit states that we cannot prove that the single biggest project in the history of this time achieved this goal.

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of ITI. How do we assure northern businesses that the BIP is being used? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for that. I'm glad to hear that. Again, my only concern, and my question would be, that it's great that we have penalties in there but if no one is watching, what's the incentive for a company to follow through? So my concern is, again, that not only are we saying it but that we're doing it and that we're following up early on in the contract to ensure that these businesses that say they're going to use local businesses but, maybe for cost saving measures, get halfway through the contract and say I'm going to flip that and buy that product in the south...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that the chair rise and report progress. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the seconder of this motion, I certainly echo the comments of my colleague from Range Lake. Mr. Speaker, I know the Minister's aware of this issue. I know this is a national issue. I know through briefings and dialogues we've had with the Minister that, you know, she is going to be looking at ways we can improve this system, and I certainly appreciate that and I have every confidence in that. But, Mr. Speaker, this is a tool. It's a tool that we have in our toolbox that we can use. As the MLA from Range Lake has said, it's a tool that comes to us without...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in typical situations like this, would we not have the RFP concluded and of course awarded prior to the existing contract being finalized? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement today I talked about the increase in Inuvik, and I know when I get back next week, Mr. Speaker, as they say, I'm gonna have some 'splainin' to do. So I'd like the Minister to explain why there was an increase in Inuvik and only Inuvik for the liquor increases? Thank you.