Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I stood in this House and asked the Minister of Transportation a question regarding ABT being invited for a tender call. First, let me state that ABT came to me not looking for any special treatment, but to have an opportunity to bid on a contract in our area. I do realize the need for a policy, but this policy seems rather unfair, when you consider a company being invited to submit a tender on a job worth $100,000 but not able to bid on the one worth $2 million. This could easily show favouritism. I think all contracts that are tendered should follow current policy, such as northern preference and business incentive. Maybe it is time we reviewed the tender policies currently in use.
I find it very frustrating that our government, on one hand, promotes and encourages local people to start businesses and, at the same time, this same government refuses to allow a locally-owned company to pursue active contracts that will hire and train local people in our area who are needed now and more so in the future.
I am also concerned with the Minister's lines of communication, as stated in an oral question of yesterday. I received a letter from the mayor of Rae-Edzo on Thursday, May 2, 1996, at approximately 9:22 a.m. Mr. Marion came to my office at approximately 1: 15 p.m. to deliver letters to the Premier and Ministers, with the letter from Grand Chief Joe Rabesca going directly to the Premier and Minister via fax at 11:15 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, as you may recall, the Minister indicated that he had no knowledge of this concern until noon of May 7, 1996. Something didn't work. I would like to thank the Minister for his reply. However, he should take note that I will be asking further questions today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.