Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Antoine.
Debates of Feb. 13th, 1998
Topics
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 791
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the deputy minister has the full authority of the total amount of the budget. In the activity summary, as we go through the process, there are budgeted amounts for each activity. If he is within that amount, and if it is subject to conditions of a lease or a lease extension, then he has that authority. In the Lahm Ridge Tower situation, it was negotiation of an existing lease. He was within his full authority to go ahead with the renegotiation of the Lahm Ridge Tower lease. In all competitive contracts, he has the full authority to go ahead and make those arrangements. Again, in areas where there is a need for negotiated contracts or other arrangements such as request for proposals, there is a need for approval in that area. In this particular case of the Lahm Ridge Tower, he was within his full authority to go ahead and renegotiate that arrangement. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair Vince Steen
Thank you, Mr. Antoine. We are on directorate. Operations and maintenance, total operations and maintenance, on page 5-6, $8.839 million. Mr. Ootes.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the case of long-term leases, I will be hypothetical about it, would it not seem appropriate that the deputy minister would seek the input of the Minister on this? Does he normally seek the Minister's input?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 791
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the long-term leases are normally done through a competitive process. This is why we have deputy ministers and managers to run different departments. The responsibility of the deputy minister that it is not really normal practice to seek approval for long-term leases if it is done on a competitive basis. It is within his full authority to negotiate the lease. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 791
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 791
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will repeat my question again, Mr. Chairman. I think I was fairly clear on the question. Would it not seem to be a natural process for the deputy minister to consult and to seek the advice and approval of the Minister in the event there is a long-term lease of a substantial amount of money?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 791
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I thought I was very clear in my answer to the honourable Member from Yellowknife. As Ministers, we are politicians, in the political realm, in the Department of Public Works we try to make it as non-political as possible. The reason for giving the full authority to the deputy minister is to deal with it in a very businesslike fashion. Therefore, the deputy minister has the full authority to negotiate long-term arrangements with some substantial amounts of dollars attached to it. This has been the practice of this government for some time. It has worked in the past and it continues to work today. This is the way it is done, especially if it is done on a competitive basis. It is very clear when they go to a competitive basis, all the different safeguards which are in there. I am very sincere in the fact that I want to make sure it is done above board and as transparently as possible. The way to do it, is to continue with the way we are doing it in allowing the deputy ministers to do their work. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 791
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. All the government departments were involved in a half year plan to develop a YK office plan. Half a year, Mr. Chairman. The other day the Minister stated this was probably circulated throughout all of the departments and it probably went to other individuals for
approval. I understand that Cabinet did have a look at this in August. My question will be more direct about this. Did the deputy minister consult his Minister, advise his Minister, contact the Minister or talk to the Minister about the Lahm Ridge Tower lease renewal before he signed this document?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair Vince Steen
Mr. Ootes, you are getting specific on a particular lease. Although I agree that it does refer to the duties of the deputy minister, you are now becoming specific. I would suggest you ask your question under asset management if you are going to refer to any particular lease that is involved. Mr. Ootes.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will preface my comments with the fact we have all been informed there is an office space plan developed and it went through various scenarios. The office space plan, because the government was so concerned about its budgetary needs, and in order to meet our fiscal requirements, has to be considered on a political level. Therefore, did the deputy minister consult with the Minister on the office space plan, where potential leases would be signed?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair Vince Steen
Mr. Ootes, again, I have to suggest you redirect your question under asset management because there would be reference to an office space plan. Your question would definitely fit under that activity. I am having problems as to what part of your question actually relates to the directorate. Mr. Ootes.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am raising this because, yesterday I asked and Mr. Krutko has already referred to this, where the Minister, himself, stated we should direct any questions with regard to the Lahm Ridge Tower under the directorate. That is why I am raising it here.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair Vince Steen
Mr. Ootes, I am not preventing you from asking your question. I am suggesting you re-ask it on the next page, unless you can tell me how this relates to the directorate activity. Mr. Ootes.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Let me go on to another question, then, Mr. Chairman. With regard to the office space plan that was developed for Yellowknife, could the Minister tell us, it went through various scenarios, was there a specific group within the Department of Public Works that worked on this?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair Vince Steen
Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Ootes, I did get an indication from the Minister he is willing to answer your question at this time. Your first question. I am going to leave it up to him as to whether he wants to respond to both of your questions at this time. Mr. Antoine.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, for clarification where a couple of Ordinary Members made mention of what I stated yesterday. From an unedited Hansard, I did say, I think there was some concern about the authority of the deputy minister in some decisions. Perhaps, it might be a good idea to address it at that time. I was making references to the directorate in regard to the authority of the deputy minister.
In reference to what the honourable Member is saying, I would like to ask the deputy minister to elaborate further in response to the honourable Member, Mr. Ootes. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Lovely
Mr. Chairman. I did not consult with the Minister of Public Works and Services before signing the lease on the Lahm Ridge Tower. The group that worked on the office space plan for Yellowknife, under my direction, was the North Slave Regional office, the superintendent of the North Slave Regional office. It was a collaborative effort between me and the superintendent. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a number of questions not specifically related to any particular lease but with regard to the authority of a deputy minister. Would it be possible for everyone's edification, to get a copy of the signing authorities of the deputy minister? The levels they are at so it is clear what the authorities are, the delegated responsibilities, and what areas the right to manage is laid out in?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 792