Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to use this opportunity to ask some questions to the Minister of Health. Now, he may not be specifically aware of the typical issue, but I want to find out what his authorities are within his purview of being Minister.
Recently a constituent has approached me on the fact that they’re applying on this medevac contract that’s out right now for bids and tenders and the packages are just coming together. My understanding was their BIP was pulled with no discussion with that particular business. It was just a random hey, you no longer qualify for BIP. They had to step in, ask me, I talked to the Minister, the Minister talked to the constituent and it seemed to work out. Then they further did an audit on this business, wanting taxation and other things to still qualify for BIP. Finally, now that that’s worked out, fortunately, from my understanding I should say. Now, apparently, they have an anonymous random audit through the Nursing Association for their qualification, now again all linked to this medevac contract that they’re trying to bid on, and I believe it closes in a few days. So, this all ties down to one focus.
What authority does the Minister of Health and Social Services have in working with the fairness commissioner on a type of contract bid like this to find out and investigate this type of problem, and what authority lies before them in dealing with this type of problem? Do they have the authority to dismiss this particular proponent? Do they have any types of understandings like that? That’s the type of information I want to know, because this constituent is tired of being put through the ringer. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An RFP is currently out for air ambulance services in the Northwest Territories. It is being overseen by a fairness commissioner. As a result, I will not speak publicly about this tender at this time. Thank you.
There must be some authority that the Minister can answer in the House today that the fairness commissioner can do and investigate. It’s not about deciding about the contract. I’m just saying when we’ve got corporate espionage in some form or fashion, if that really is the case, I don’t know, and I want to give them the chance to review it properly because they are the experts.
What type of remedies and options lie before this person providing this? What’s the point of having a fairness commissioner if they won’t review the situation? I don’t know; I’m trying to bring it to the Minister so we can get a solution, provide direction to this type of constituent who, in my opinion, is being taken to task. Why, I don’t know.
The air ambulance contract is currently out for a request for proposal. It is being overseen by a fairness commissioner. That fairness commissioner has an obligation to make sure that all aspects of this process are fair, transparent and equal for all. As a result, I will not talk about this contract or this proposal at this time. Thank you.
So the Minister is unwilling to provide a solution in the public here. What use is having a fairness commissioner if we have no solution for a particular proponent who wants to bid on this potential contract and is being sandbagged behind the scenes?
Is the government willing to sit by and allow this without providing any options or remedies or just say let it play out? Are we going to hear the same answer, and you might as well just table the answer if that’s what he’s going to do over there. Thank you.
The services for air ambulance in the Northwest Territories are currently up for a request for proposal. It is being overseen by a fairness commissioner. The fairness commissioner will ensure that all aspects of this process are fair, transparent and equal to all. As a result, I will not talk about this contract or this proposal at this time. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Your final, short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Clearly, justice isn’t being served.
What options lie before this particular proponent who wants to bid on this contract and yet they have people who go out there and sandbag their potential credibility on this, which could cause them not to be in a position to qualify as they bid for this.
You know, we can only hide behind the fairness commissioner answer so long. The fact is, what options lie before them, what authorities fall under the ability of the fairness commissioner, and again, why have a fairness commissioner if the Minister is just going to keep saying over and over again the same answer? Give us some answers and give us some options. That’s what the public wants.
The air ambulance services for the Northwest Territories are currently out for RFP. They are being overseen by a fairness commissioner, who if individuals have concerns with the process can file complaints with. As this is being overseen by a fairness commissioner, I will not be talking about the current RFP. Thank you.
