Debates of October 15, 2004 (day 21)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have a few questions for the Minister of Justice, Mr. Charles Dent. I would just like to know how it is the new family Legal Aid office ended up leasing space in what amounts to a retail mall in Yellowknife. Perhaps between him and Minister Floyd Roland, Minister of Public Works, they could explain how that transaction transpired. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Minister of Justice, the Honourable Mr. Dent. Mr. Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the question should be referred to Mr. Roland, the Minister of Public Works and Services. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the concern that is being raised. For that office space, a request for proposals went out in late summer. It was issued, and a number of parties put in proposals. What had happened was the space that was required in the RFP was not met, and based on the number of calls that were made trying to secure the location, it was decided at that point that one of the proponents did have a suitable space, but didn’t make the cut-off time for the RFP. It was contacted and discussions were entered into and an agreement was made. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks, Mr. Minister, for the response. I find it hard to believe that this government would put a Legal Aid office in a retail mall and pay top dollar for the rental space when there are other options out there, Mr. Speaker. The retailers in that mall are not happy that a Legal Aid office is going into prime retail space, and I know and I’ve heard that leasehold improvements won’t start on that space until November 1st. Mr. Speaker, is it too late to look at a different location for this office? It just doesn’t fit in a retail setting. I mean, the clientele who will be attending it…It just shouldn’t happen that way, Mr. Speaker, and I’d like the Minister to let us know if it’s not too late to have another look at another location. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess number one is from the Public Works and Services end when we were reviewing the request for space, preferred locations, we don’t put a lot of weight on who the clientele might be going into that space. What we did look at was the request for the space, storefront or easy access by disabled persons. So in reviewing the proposal that came out, it was determined that that space wasn’t adequate. There were discussions held with those who did put in proposals and found out there was still not adequate space that could be suitable for this location. The one party that did have adequate space that was in the area of downtown and accessible by disabled persons, discussions were held with them and an agreement was made and a contract was entered into. So at this point the contract has been signed for an initial five-year lease, with options to extend. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a five-year lease, but it amounts to a 15-year lease, Mr. Speaker, because they have a five-year lease and two options for five additional years each, for a total of 15 years in a retail setting. I’m just wondering, Mr. Speaker, what the premium is that this government is going to pay. I know dollars are at a premium. What is that premium that we’re going to pay to put an office in a retail mall? There has to be a premium that we’re paying. It’s top dollar, it’s prime retail space, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to know what that is and is that going to cut into the services that are going to be offered through this office? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have the information on the actual dollar figures at this point. I can share with the Member or committee members if there is a concern about that, but what we’ve done is work with the Department of Justice who required this space, who knew there was a budget to operate within, and based on those parameters with the results that came back with the RFP, had discussions with the proponent, being the Department of Justice, and there was agreement that this was the best avenue to work in. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For a government that purports to support small business, this is a major step backwards, Mr. Speaker. I’m wondering if the government has taken any consideration into the fact that it’s harming, by putting a Legal Aid office into a retail mall, the small businesses that are located in that mall. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I would have difficulty in recognizing how we are harming the operations of a company that did put in a response to an RFP. This company had put in their response. All three were actually deemed not to make the cut, but when we looked at what was on the table and the request for the space, and this was seen as adequate space in a downtown location where people can easily access the service that’s been asked for, it was felt that this was the avenue to go. Again with discussions with the Department of Justice, we felt that this was the avenue we go with. It may not be the best and the 15-year term the Member refers to, again, it’s a five-year lease with an option to extend. If we find that it’s just not fitting or the Department of Justice finds that it is not working there, at that point we can review the options that are available to us. We all know that here in the city of Yellowknife space is very, very tight and everything is going at a premium. Thank you.