Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I would like to speak about the always controversial but often misunderstood issue of negotiated government contracts. There are some, Mr. Speaker, who argue that negotiated contracts between the Government of the NWT and third parties are subject either to real or potential abuse and that this should be avoided and the termination of this practice finished.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that there are problems with the existing process as associated with negotiated contracts but I also believe that there are those problems which exist can be rectified provided that those responsible commit themselves to making modifications that will seriously address the existing issues. Failure to come to terms with the identifiable problems, Mr. Speaker, could jeopardize a continued effectiveness of a contracting tool which if properly used can be a useful vehicle for achieving legitimate public policy objectives in a sound business context.
Mr. Speaker, if the negotiated contract process is to be restored to an acceptable level of credibility, two things would have to take place. First, Mr. Speaker, the key ingredient that will have to be established is the responsible and transferred process that will permit Members of this Legislative Assembly and more importantly, the public to have a high level of confidence in the efficiency of negotiated contracts. The second ingredient and arguably the most important one, is the need to revise the guidelines to strongly reflect sound business planning and the establishment of a contracting environment which will generate consistently sound business arrangements which will withstand the test of time.
There is little point, Mr. Speaker, in facilitating negotiated contracts which do not make good business sense. This not only hurts the financial health of the government but also damages the long term viability of business enterprises which lack the discipline to resist the instant gratification of the short term gain.
Mr. Speaker, one of the products of the flaws in this existing system is bureaucratic indifference to making the system work efficiently. I want to make it clear, Mr. Speaker, that I do not blame the program administrators for this. Having to administer a system which is inadequate to begin with and which is subject to abuse, leads to a situation where people just do not try as hard as they might otherwise to make things work. My point, Mr. Speaker, is that with proper, transparent guidelines and processes, we can challenge the bureaucracy to work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.