Mr. Speaker, just by way of background, the Government of the Northwest Territories, through its present business incentive policy, already offers bid adjustments to northern contractors in the range of 10 to 15 per cent. What NTI was asking for was a further bid adjustment of 10 per cent on top of what we already offer. What article 24 requires is that the GNWT establish bid criteria for awarding contracts that consider the use of Inuit content. There is no requirement for any additional bid discount, aside from BIP and article 24.
We have studied very carefully the question of any additional bid adjustment and what real impact or difference it would have. We have decided on a minimum content approach for several reasons, Mr. Speaker. The minimum content approach guarantees Inuit content whereas the bid adjustment does not. The fact that a minimum content approach will be mandatory means the content must be promised and achieved. Contracts who do not comply with it, will be charged with damages. The bottom line is we were looking for real results in Inuit employment participation.