Debates of November 28, 2007 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Transportation. It gets back to the Deh Cho Bridge process. We are talking about the concession agreement. Yesterday, the Minister said in Hansard that the concession agreement still needs to be finalized. I would like to ask the Minister with my first question. What exactly did the Government of the Northwest Territories commit to in signing the concession agreement with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya.

Return To Question 29-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the concession agreement is the lead agreement under the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation’s arrangements for the development, design and construction operations and maintenance and management of the bridge.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 29-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in questioning the department in the past on the operation, collection and administration of tolls on the proposed Deh Cho Bridge, I would like to ask the Minister if the costs associated with the collection of tolls, the administration of tolls, is included in that concession agreement, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 29-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will have to double check, but I believe so.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 29-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he could, for the House, outline or give us a list of the 12 outstanding schedules and appendices to the concession agreement that remain outstanding. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 29-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As soon as I get the completed list, I will certainly provide that to the Members of the House.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 29-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to getting that information at whatever time the Minister can provide it. Yesterday, also in Hansard, both the Minister and the Premier talked about a willingness to get together with Members to discuss the process and try to get a better understanding of that process and what happened in the decision-making. I would like to ask the Minister again today if he would look at a public inquiry to try to find out exactly how the decision was arrived at to sign that concession agreement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 29-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of benefits to the Deh Cho Bridge. However, Mr. Speaker, I want to say that this involves a lot of parties and communities like Fort Providence, Behchoko and Yellowknife Members here. Mr. Speaker, the Premier has committed the review of this process. I will be working closely with the Premier and the Members of this House to that commitment.