Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some months ago I posed questions to the Minister of Public Works and Services about P3 projects and policies. As we now move into discussion of the 2009–2010 capital budget, I have to ask myself if my questions in February had any effect or created any action.
Most people will agree that the proposed 2009–2010 infrastructure plan is ambitious but that it still leaves many projects undone. This 16th Assembly has several megaprojects on our wish list. Expansion of the Taltson hydro power plant and the building of the Mackenzie Valley Highway to Tuk are just two examples.
I think we all acknowledge the GNWT on its own cannot accomplish these projects, that we will need financial assistance from other partners, the federal government and/or private industry, to see these projects through to fruition. But are we prepared for these types of projects? Going by the answers to my questions in February and information received or not received to date, no, we are not.
There seem to be no consistent P3 policies in place. I was told in February that projects are dealt with on a case by case basis. Further, as found in the Hansard record of February 14, 2008, the Minister stated:
“There have been very few projects brought forward to this government that are classified as P3…. As we move forward, there needs to be more analysis done as the federal government has, as part of the Building Canada plan, a funding initiative that’s referred to as the P3 model. We need to move forward if we’re going to access some of those dollars.”
I couldn’t agree more.
And from the same Hansard record, “We’ve agreed that we will all be as competitive as we can, and I’d be glad to bring the issue of the P3 forward to that committee for consideration.” I believe the committee referenced was the ministerial infrastructure committee. I appreciate that this committee has been busy, and I recognize and give credit to that committee for a lot of the work that’s been done; it’s been very good work. But I have yet to hear or see any report that references the development of P3 policies and procedures.
I said in February: “I urge the Minister to get a policy in place as soon as possible. These kinds of projects are somewhat unusual, and we need to have as much governance, as much of an umbrella for overseeing these projects, as possible.”
I hope repeating my words will have an impact on those across the floor who are hopefully listening. Not surprisingly, I will have questions for the Premier or the appropriate Minister later on.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
