Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last number of days I’ve received several phone calls and e-mails from local contractors in my riding who feel there is a total disadvantage regarding the contracting practices of this Government of the Northwest Territories. Especially the housing corporation when it comes to housing…(inaudible)…in local communities.
What I’m talking about are the advantages of large regional contractors to be able to supply, ship and erect contracts in the communities by way of having the purchase power, the means of moving the materials into the communities, and very little for local tender. Yet a local contractor has to make the local investment, have a local business, have a shop and also sustain his manpower.
Contractors such as plumbers in the communities have a disadvantage. Prior to these contracts being changed there used to be a local contracting process which allowed for labour-only contracts so that the contractors in the communities were able to take advantage, provide the labour responsibilities for those contracts, and find new initiatives for those contractors.
There has also been opportunities such as invitational tenders, allowing for tenders to be negotiated in those communities and bid on in those communities so the communities can take advantage of those construction opportunities which are very slim and very limited regarding the Inuvik region, especially in the communities where they have seen the downturn in the oil and gas industry.
There is a negotiating contracting policy that this government has. I’ve submitted several letters to the Minister of Housing regarding negotiated contracts, with nothing being mentioned to me of the status of those contractors and when it is going to Cabinet.
The rebundling of contractors is something that has been suggested on this side of the House to the government so that local contractors can take advantage of those contract opportunities. Nothing has been done in that area.
I think it’s important that we ensure that we have sustainable communities so that they can put the people to work, give them job opportunities during the summer months, and not have outsiders -- the fly-by-nighters -- come in and take advantage of these opportunities and not allow the local communities to take advantage.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Again, in regard to the opportunities for communities to take advantage of these tendering processes but ensuring that the benefits are derived in the communities where these capital dollars are expended and the capital investment is being made.
Again, we have high pockets of unemployment in most of our smaller communities exceeding over 45 to 50 percent unemployment, not compared to 23 or 24 percent in the larger regional centres. I think this government has to seriously take a look at this issue, go back to the drawing board and take a look at your contracting policies and procedures and the practices that are being done on the ground and ensure that your people are not advantaging the people at the regional centres because they’re buddies and help people in the communities to find work for the people who are unemployed. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
