Debates of October 19, 2007 (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to get back to questions on the Deh Cho Bridge project. I wasn’t left with a really good feeling after hearing the Premier talk about how his government is going to operate differently than the last government on providing this House with assurances on how the project is moving along. I am talking about information and information sharing. How is his government going to be any different than the last one, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 6-16(1): Status Of The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am looking at where we will go forward, not how we go backward. So I think as we put out there, I am one who will stand on the fact that we will be open and work with Members of this Assembly. It’s a two-way street here. We need to work together. If we provide information to Members that is confidential so that you can feel that we are doing the appropriate thing, then we need to be secure that we have that information to you in confidence. We are early days in this government. As a new Transportation Minister is assigned, one of their tasks will be to get up to speed with where the files are and be prepared to sit down with Members as they are ready to go, as well. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 6-16(1): Status Of The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The only information we got during the life of the last government, we got high-level information on what was happening and really we were only consulted when the government wanted to go ahead and increase the loan guarantee. I certainly think we do need to work together. The information needs to come back and forth. The legislation the Premier in the last government and this government is relying on is only a vehicle to get a bridge built. It’s got no numbers in it. It’s very difficult for us when the government is making decisions, especially on spending, without coming back to Regular Members and asking our opinion. So again, I would like to ask the Premier how is his government going to operate differently? Are we going to be able to see the concession agreement? Are we going to be able to see the contracts that have been signed? What has been signed? We don’t even know what has been signed yet. I would like to ask him that question, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. There were about two or three questions there. You can answer one or all three. Thank you. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 6-16(1): Status Of The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the challenge will be -- and I fully expect we are going to be held accountable on the information we share with Members -- if it’s seen as only high level or it’s seen as a lot of information but really of no worth. So I am committing to work with Members and provide absolutely the best information we can. Of course, we have parameters around how we can operate. I am going to commit to you and Members of this Assembly to share the information that is necessary to make sure we make good decisions for residents of the Northwest Territories. The parameter, the act that was put in place, put parameters in place of what can be done and not be done. We have to live within those. Ultimately it is the will of the Assembly, the House, whether it changes a bill or not. Right now, that’s what we have to operate in and there are a number of factors that are still out there that need to come back for final consideration. That is the final costs, the financial arrangements, the agreement with the federal government on the permit that is necessary. Once a new Minister is put in place, he will have to come up to speed in that area and be prepared to meet with Members. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 6-16(1): Status Of The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the commitment and the expenditure of public funds, I don’t think there is such a thing as confidential. Let’s be realistic about that. They are public funds. They are going to be expended in an area. I don’t believe that’s confidential, Mr. Speaker. Is the Government of the Northwest Territories past the point of no return on the Deh Cho Bridge? Are we proceeding with the Deh Cho Bridge when we don’t even know what it’s going to cost us? Are we past the point of no return, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 6-16(1): Status Of The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are facts out there. I am not going into the previous work of the life of the 15th Assembly. We have to move forward on what we have and the information we have. Let’s put the facts out there. The number that’s been talked about in the media, in the agreement and information, was $150 million. The Deh Cho Bridge Corporation is working on securing its final pieces of financing out there. The government’s responsibility will be what’s announced out there and been put out there for public record and that is the cost of operating the ferry today, plus approximately between $1.5 million and $2 million annually and then the rest of the cost. The reason they were getting this financing put in place is because it’s self-liquidating in the sense that the tolls that we establish will help pay for this bridge over a 35-year period. Thank you.