Mr. Chairman, I understand these extensions were initiated at the same time.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Regarding the Department of Public Works in regard to aboriginal organizations, the BIP process or contracts, there seems to be a real question about which organization represents who. The Denendeh Development Corporation has membership of about 14,000, the Gwich'in Development Corporation of almost 2,500 people and then the Inuvialuit Development Corporation who represent constituents that are claims beneficiaries. Why is it there seems to be such a problem within Public Works to associate with who has authority over who or who has to represent everybody as a whole? In regard to Lahm Ridge Tower, you look at the context of two individuals, but in regard to interests of aboriginal organizations where they represent, in the case of the Denendeh Development Corporation, which is made up of all the bands in the Northwest Territories, of almost 14,000 people, why is there such a discrepancy in regard to who represents who, yet when it comes to Lahm Ridge Tower, we are talking about two individuals? Why is it we talk about affirmative action in this government and we talk about what is happening regarding different aboriginal claims where there are certain sections of the agreements that have to be fulfilled to ensure the aboriginal people get the most economic opportunities available in those areas. Especially when it comes to claims in the Inuit Act, Section 35. Why is it this department seems to have such a problem verifying the aboriginal groups have to prove who they are, yet it is not that case with individuals?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regard to the contract and lease arrangements with this government, we have a variety of organizations, the Metis Development Corporation, DDC, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Dogrib Development Corporation, so there is a large range of aboriginal development corporations out there. They have money to invest in the Northwest Territories, but I think when it comes to realizing the amount of time, effort and energy they put into developing proposals or looking at investments, they seem to get the feeling that they have to develop their proposals two times as thick as the next guy, because that is the amount of information that is being asked for. They are being put in the position that they put a lot of energy and effort in developing these things, then at the end of the day, being told there was no opportunity for them to look at it.

In regard to the Laing Building or the Stuart Hodgson Building, they had the ability to look for partners in that arrangement, but now are being told, sorry folks, the opportunity that you have, this is what it is now. The terms have changed. Before you were looking at the possibility of buying it, renovating it, then leasing it back. That is out of the picture. The only option you have now is to purchase the Laing Building and you are not allowed to lease it for a number of years, which is going to be a caveat put against it. The scenarios change so drastically, that it makes you wonder exactly how committed are we to aboriginal development corporations in the Northwest Territories, especially from this department.

I think because of the situation that we find ourselves in now in Yellowknife because of office space and everything else, I think it puts a real dim light on the aboriginal organizations to seriously look at the potential of investing in Yellowknife because of the way they have been treated in this latest scenario from the Lahm Ridge deal to where we are going now in regard to the Laing Building. Where before it was feasible, it was practical, it was something they could invest in knowing they would be able to make a business venture out of it which was fair and practical. Where they could have put money up front and made an investment and knowing it was a safe investment. Why is there such a discrepancy between these groups and the other development real estate agents, in the way this government deals with them?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think to be fair to everybody and the whole idea of aboriginal groups being involved through the competitive process, I think it would have been fair to all the people of the Northwest Territories, and on the aboriginal organizations, that the Lahm Ridge Tower lease renewal should have been put out to competition so that people could all have an opportunity to bid on that amount of office space that this government required. Why was that not done in this case?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to make a motion.

I would like to make a motion that this section, approval, be deleted until all answers are in from the Minister's office that have been promised to the Members of this House.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. I would like to defer.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the committee defer further consideration of the activities, asset management, the Department of Public Works and Services at this time.