Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the October session I asked questions regarding the COR program, the Certificate of Recognition to the Minister of Public Works about implementing it into the territorial tendering process which would help raise standards in our tendering process. We would also get better and more proficient tenders that proceed on our government projects. Mr. Speaker, at the time, I had inquired with the Minister if he would look into that process to see if we could move down that road as, for example, the Yukon has, and start with large projects and work our way down to the smaller ones until all our projects reflect in that regard. Of course, at the time I had asked the Minister to be kept up to speed and whatnot. I haven’t heard any updates for quite some time. I am just curious as today stands, where is the development of the implementation of this COR recognition program in our government tendering process and does Public Works still support this initiative? Thank you.
Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Michael McLeod.
Mr. Speaker, we did commit to providing correspondence to the Member. I apologize if that hasn’t happened. My information tells me that we have had some discussions on jurisdictions. We have had some discussion with some of the NGOs. We have to commit to have that information compiled and provided to them. I don’t have that all with me today. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I will accept that humble apology from the Minister, although rare but certainly welcomed. I wish more Cabinet Ministers could follow that direction. Mr. Speaker, I just want to be clear from a departmental point of view, does the Department of Public Works still support this process, moving along with this initiative by supporting the concept and program the COR into their tendering process? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if that was something that we had indicated in our response to the Member at the time. I believe we had discussed the merits of the program. I had raised that there were some NGOs that were raising concern and that we needed to further investigate. That is where the situation still stands, from my standpoint. I would have to have further discussions. We will provide correspondence to the Member. Thank you.
Time for oral questions has expired. I will allow the Member to conclude his supplementary. Mr. Hawkins.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Minister for making sure that question will be answered as well in the coming correspondence. I just want to make sure that the Minister is well aware that this is a territorial initiative, not a Yellowknife initiative. There are companies, construction, various other types of service type industries getting on board with the Certificate of Recognition through the Territory whether they are in Hay River, Norman Wells, Inuvik. It is quite a broad program involving large and small businesses. Is the Minister aware that it is a territorial program that several businesses are investing in the certificate program and they are doing a large focus to make sure that they could be on board just like every other jurisdiction is? Is the Minister aware of this? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I, unlike others, can see past Yellowknife. We have, of course, recognized that this is an initiative. It has a bearing on companies across the North, outside of Yellowknife. It is an initiative that is receiving a lot of attention. A lot of other jurisdictions are buying into it. We are also looking and reviewing what is being done in other areas. The short answer is yes, we are looking at it from across the board standpoint. Thank you.
Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request agreement to go back to item 7 on the orders of the day. Thank you.
The Member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to item 7, oral questions.
---Unanimous consent granted.
