Mr. Chairman, I would like to respond to Mr. Gargan's concern as a Member of the Standing Committee on Finance. I think he will agree with the broad thrust of the motion, which is to maximize northern opportunities under fire suppression. I am sure he agrees with that fundamental thrust of the motion. Mr. Chairman, I would like to assure the honourable Member that this is not designed to divert opportunities away from the small communities. In fact, as I understand the business incentive policy, there are already preferences in place to give local and community bidders an advantage over any other bidder from outside that particular community, where the contracting opportunity takes place. It certainly was not our intention, in formulating this motion, to see the result the Member is concerned about realized. I would like to assure the honourable Member, the motion was intended to encourage the government to continue in its present direction, whereby we have a number of small communities taking good opportunities and maximizing opportunities from these contracts. There is no intention to do anything but continue on in that direction and encourage the government to maximize the opportunities even more. Thank you.
Dennis Patterson on Committee Motion 75-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 21
In the Legislative Assembly on March 1st, 1993. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 75-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 21
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 28th, 1993
Page 681
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
See context to find out what was said next.