Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On January 28th, the Minister, I believe, tabled a document regarding the scenario, date and times with what happened regarding Lahm Ridge Tower. On July 29th, the owner phoned Public Works, they met on July 30th and on August 1st, the owner wrote PWS, agreeing to general terms. On August 6th, PWS sent a letter outlining details under which the government would be prepared to extend the lease. Then, eight days later, the Executive Council grants approval in principle to the Yellowknife office plan. There is a 14-day period here. My question would be, what was the big rush? Why did the deputy minister take this action so fast? It could have waited. There was no reason. This gentleman phoned and the deputy minister stated before or the minister did, that they had no contact from the owner before July 29th. What all of a sudden is the panic for this, when we are considering the whole office plan situation in Yellowknife? Within a six-day period they sign off this lease and yet, the office plan, which has to take into consideration all sorts of political implications by doing that. There are other business people in this community with tremendous investment and yet, boom, just like that, a lease is signed on the basis, before it was a case where, and I stand to be corrected on this, but my understanding was, there was no desire to renew the lease because it was a southern owner. All of a sudden, there is potential for northern owners, and the lease is signed. Perhaps I can get the Minister to address a little more on the timeframe, why was the urgency here to sign this lease in this short timeframe?
Jake Ootes 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 836
See context to find out what was said next.