Debates of March 8, 2005 (day 51)

Than you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Justice, with respect to the courthouse that is being planned. I understand that this initiative was being brought forward by this government. Constituents of my riding are concerned; they want to know why we need to spend so much on such infrastructure. They want to know why we are building another courthouse in Yellowknife when we already have one there, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 566-15(3): New Courthouse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the years, the courthouse has become too small for the number of cases that are held in it. Right now, in the last year, we have had rented space outside the courthouse for a large civil case: the Giant Mine trial. With that one, we spent over $355,000. Just since Christmas, we’ve had to rent space in one of the local hotels for courts and we will again this year. We know about another large trial that’s coming up later this spring that we’re going to have to rent space outside the courthouse. What’s happened is that the growth in the number of cases that are being heard in Yellowknife has meant that we can’t house them all in the space that’s available. That’s one of the biggest problems, and the other problem is security. The security issues that surround the courts right now can’t be dealt with. So we have a choice: either rent more space or build space. Since it seems to make more sense for us to pay ourselves rather than paying a landlord, so the government has decided to propose the building of a courthouse.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 566-15(3): New Courthouse

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I understand a little bit about the reasoning behind that and perhaps the Minister can tell me what is the estimated cost of this new courthouse. Is this like a Class 'D' estimate and how old is this estimate for the new courthouse, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 566-15(3): New Courthouse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The estimate that we have was provided by Public Works and Services. It is a Class 'D', so an initial estimate, and it was prepared by Public Works and Services within the last few months, just since fall. Right now they have estimated the cost to be about $41 million.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 566-15(3): New Courthouse

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I understand that some of the expenditures that they’re looking for in 2005-06 is to do a full engineering study and the budgeted amount is around $41 million. I’m just wondering, at what point will the government put the brakes on this project if it exceeds the $41 million bill?

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 566-15(3): New Courthouse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government has decided to initiate this project by going to a full set of plans and then going out to tender. So before we break ground we’ll know the full cost of the project. This isn’t going to be handled through a construction management process where the costs could escalate after the construction has started. It is our intention to make sure that we know the costs before proceeding with it. All of the amounts that will be spent on the building will have to be voted by this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 566-15(3): New Courthouse

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. That’s what I’m looking for. I just want the government to assure us that they’re not going to run into a situation where they get half a building done for $40 million and then are going to ask for another $40 million to complete it. That’s been our history and I’d like to know what the government is going to do for this project that’s going to prevent that.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 566-15(3): New Courthouse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, where we’ve seen significant changes in project costs have been through the construction management process and this government is not prepared to undertake that process for this building. We are going to get the full set of plans done and then go out to public tender. Once we have the results in, we will award the contract. That way you know what the cost of the building is going to be. Thank you.