Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Public Works regarding the COR program. It’s the Certificate of Recognition. I’ve inquired with the Minister to find out where this program is when it comes to implementation out there on our tenders and processes. So where is this initiative and is it being implemented into our tendering process for northern tenders, with the expectation that people who do comply and respond to those tenders are part of the program? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Public Works and Services, Mr. Michael McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have not decided whether we’re going to incorporate the COR program into our tenders. At this point, the Northern Construction Safety Association has been working on a rollout schedule for their members. They have endorsed it and we’re kind of providing support in that area. Thank you.
That was quite a confusing answer. We haven’t decided what we’re doing, but we support it through the rollout. Mr. Speaker, if the Minister could make sense on the particular issue, is the government behind this initiative and are they anticipating that they’ll be involved and support this initiative? Thank you.
I apologize if it was confusing to the Member. I’ll try to speak a little slower.
Mr. Speaker, I’ve already stated that we have not, as a government, endorsed the COR program to be part of our contracting. The NWT Construction Association is going to consult with the industry and they will talk to their members. We are not moving forward and incorporating it in our contracts. Thank you.
Thank goodness we have rules so I won’t respond appropriately to how the Minister should get a response, but I’d like to know what the Minister is doing, or I should say what’s causing the Minister and the department from holding back on implanting this COR certification program, especially in light of the fact that the Department of Public Works, several months ago, seemed to be in favour of this initiative. As well, they went and sent one of their staff members, a senior staff member, to become certified in the program. So, again, it seems to be a mixed message. They support it, but don’t really support it. Are they waiting for industry to tell them what to do, or are they just sort of in the dark as to how important it is and what a northern program this is, because a lot of northern businesses are involved in this initiative? Thank you.
We’re quite familiar with the COR program, but at this point we’re not prepared to move forward. We don’t feel it will allow all communities to be involved, especially small contractors in the more remote communities. We are working with the NWT Construction Association, the Safety Association also and they are rolling it out to their membership and getting feedback, we are working with them on drafting proper wording and it’s not something we’re prepared to do at this point.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final, short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister saying that if the NWT Construction Association is behind this, that the Department of Public Works will support it? Is the Minister as well saying that if we can prove, which I already have, that this can be implemented and supported by business in small communities, he’ll support it? Is that what the Minister is saying? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I’m saying that once we’re comfortable that all the companies and all the communities will have the same abilities through this program, we will provide further consideration.
