Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to make some comments with regard to the review of government policies and regulations. We discussed and asked previously many questions on the sole sourced and negotiated contracts, and we discussed in various committee meetings the possibility of having the government look at the many policies that seem to be in place regarding letting contracts. Apparently the regional superintendents have to go through different procedures for different purchases, and they are finding that there may be a huge stack of policies and procedures to follow in the event they have to do purchasing and it would seem that this is an area that the government should look at and I am wondering if this review will do that, because it must be extremely frustrating for anybody in the region to spend an inordinate amount of time on what should be straightforward and simple purchasing procedures, but additionally it is important that we get some guidelines and ask the questions, is there one policy for sole-sourced and negotiated contracts, but we got back word that no, there is not one definitive policy. I am wondering if that could be addressed, if the Premier could comment on that. The second item that I would like to have the Premier comment on is with regard to the potential establishment of regional governments in the NWT. There has to be some consideration given to what will this government devolve to - a regional government in the event of that becoming reality. What powers is this government prepared to transmit to those particular regional governments? And what is the status of that? Again, I think it is important for us to know where we are in that whole process with regard to the step of regional governments. Understand that naturally the federal government is party to this, but I think it is important for us to know what is happening. My third and final comment is in regard to the Ottawa office. I would like to know what staff members are there. In relationship to that, last year there were some comments made with regard to a national communications program and I wonder if the Premier could tell us and brief us as to what has transpired with that particular program and who has responsibility for it, if such exists and perhaps some rationalization behind the purpose of it? Thank you, Madam Chair.
Jake Ootes on Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on January 29th, 1997. See this statement in context.
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
January 28th, 1997
Page 276
See context to find out what was said next.