Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. David Ramsay on February 23, 2010, regarding the rationale for contract to facilitate a basic accounting course.
In 2008 the government was in the initial stages of implementing its new financial information system. It became apparent that financial staff across the GNWT would need an increased level of understanding of basic accounting concepts to operate the new system. A review of various basic entry-level accounting training programs and services being offered, particularly in the North, was conducted. This included offerings from the School of Community Government and Aurora College.
It was determined that the offering from the School of Community Government was the best match for the identified needs. The course has a northern focus and was designed for northern accounting staff. The curriculum needed some minor modifications to provide relevant examples for GNWT staff and highlight expected changes between the old financial accounting system and the new system.
As MacKay LLP were the original developers of the training materials for the School of Community Government, they were contracted on a sole-source basis to make the necessary modifications to their original material and provide “train the trainer” courses. The decision to award the contract on a sole-source basis was made by the previous deputy minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat on the advice of the FIS Project Deputy Minister Steering Committee.
However, the contract had not been formally signed before a change in deputy ministers occurred. Because deputy ministers may not enter into contracts with immediate family members unless authorized by the ethics counsellor, the current deputy minister sought and received the authorization of the ethics counsellor before the contract was executed. Arrangements were made as recommended by the ethics counsellor, to ensure that contract administration and dispute resolution, if required, excluded the deputy minister.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Clerk.
