Robert Hawkins

Earlier the Minister had assured me that, of course, they invoked the privilege of moving the motion to extend today’s sittings for as long as possible, and my point of that contradiction was knowing that one person cannot carry the fire forever. That’s what I meant about forcing the process to go. If we had followed through today’s normal schedule we would have ended at two o’clock, and we would have been able to get this type of information on the side, whether it’s in committee or have some discussions after hours. I feel terrible. I’m not trying to hold the process hostage here by any...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to use the opportunity now to speak to a couple of the other items on the list. I will start with the infrastructure projects that are seen as carry-overs. Frankly, I have been saying it for a number of years, that I am still convinced that the Department of Finance, through FMB, is allowing the capital budget to grow in the Northwest Territories in a manner that we can’t sustain. What I mean by that is we are taking on more projects than we can get done. I don’t consider an average 35 percent a good average of capital carry-overs. You will hear that some...

I find it really interesting that the Minister would invoke sub judice on a particular matter that isn’t before a court in his last comment by wrapping up the claims into future potential claims. I’d like to know what the claims Ruskin was citing as the problem from their perspective. I’d like to know what our engineers see as a particular problem, why they wouldn’t fulfill their obligation. Those are the type of things I’d like to get at.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am now prepared to start my hour-long filibuster on this particular project. I am well prepared to do what’s necessary.

The issue here before us in this supplementary appropriation is there’s still no details as to why we need to realize the extra $10 million. I’ve been after that particular answer. There still seems to be no answer other than vague ones, like trust me, our legal people say this. But what are our legal people saying? What are the complications or factors? We need to see what the issues are.

Now, there are those who suggest that this is a delay of the...

My question, of course, is: Would delays caused by the construction of the Deh Cho Bridge not be the responsibility of Ruskin to keep on track and, therefore, any cumulative costs, such as potentially running the ferry or whatever the case would be, wouldn’t that be part of their costs through our claim process?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 8, oral questions, on the orders of the day. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent denied

Maybe I can’t make it any more clear from this side of the House, which is what’s wrong with our contract in this particular regard? We keep asking why doesn’t the department, and use our legal division in the justice system to implement and force this contractor to comply with the contract. The simple ask is this: What’s the problem with our contract that we’re being held hostage by paying more?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Transportation’s reply to one of my questions was that it wasn’t going to cost any more money. I think my colleague Mr. Dolynny tried to bring up that issue a little more clearly, but we didn’t get any clear answer. My next question for the Minister of Transportation is: What’s the point of having a negotiated contract when we’re asking for somewhere between $7.2 million and $9.5 million more, and explain to maybe the House why that isn’t actually costing more money, because it sure sounds like real money and new money to the taxpayer?

Mr. Speaker, maybe can I get some understanding of why they would refuse to comply with our direction provided by our engineer at the particular time? I think it is cited in March. Is he saying if our associated engineers instructed Ruskin to comply with a schedule, why would they refuse to comply with the schedule? What grounds would they have with the ability to refuse a contractual schedule? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions as well will be about the Deh Cho Bridge, similar to my colleague. They will be directed to the Minister of Transportation. Has Ruskin ever failed to comply with directions from our engineers to comply with a particular schedule? Thank you.