Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In spite of the amount of vacant office space in regard to the decision to go forth with the leases the government presently has approved, the Minister is saying they are still reviewing and seeing where there are savings to be made. Yet, we have something like 120,000 square feet of vacant office space in Yellowknife. Then there is going to be down sizing of the government with division coming along. How can you state that we are being fair to not only this government but fair to the real estate market when we are leasing space at a prime rate. Plus, in regard to the economy in Yellowknife, where there is a lot more competition for office space, which Mr. Ootes made reference to, and an offer that was put on the table of almost $10 dollars a square foot in regard to selling the Laing Building, where there is a push from the developers to bring down the cost of the lease per square foot in Yellowknife. I would like to ask the Minister, why did they approve this knowing that these conditions were out there and that the office space plan was still being developed? Why did we not wait until after the plan was completed and take into consideration all the circumstances around division and down sizing of the government in the west? Thank you.
David Krutko on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 16th, 1998. See this statement in context.
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
February 16th, 1998
Page 833
See context to find out what was said next.