Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity today to again raise the issue of the Government of the Northwest Territories' procurement policies and its tendering. Again, I guess this is coming up as it usually does because we've seen more sole-sourcing with southern firms on several occasions, Mr. Speaker. I mentioned before in this House, the need, as I saw it, for a statutory officer of this House that would report on procurement and would let us know which departments were adhering to our procurement policies and which ones weren't, that would provide an annual report that would give us a scorecard for departments, help them improve and help Members scrutinize the activities of this government.

I think it would do another thing, Mr. Speaker. I think it would allow for an investigation of contract awards. Oftentimes when contractors are unsuccessful and try to get some information on the awarding of a bid or an RFP, one of the problems they run up against is the government insists that much of the information as to why the award was given to somebody else is something they can't discuss and is private and would somehow negatively impact the other firm that was successful. In many cases, this is a legitimate point and a legitimate concern, but an independent statutory officer of the House could certainly be provided with this information, make an objective decision and report back. I think that would alleviate much of our concern.

We know why we don't want to see southern firms get sole-sources and bypass the tendering process, cutting out northern firms. I think we've all talked many times about the loss of our tax revenues, the loss of transfer payments if jobs are not here in the North and don't stay in the North. But another reason for doing this, Mr. Speaker, is the transfer of technology and a lack of it if we sole-source. We used the Cuff example, Mr. Speaker. We are all very well aware of the Cuff report, a review of our health care system. We relied on a southern expert to come up here. The department made the case that there really was no one in the North who was qualified to take on a work of this magnitude, probably a legitimate case, a legitimate point, but, Mr. Speaker, I think we all realize now there never will be if we don't force southern firms to partner up with northern firms to develop capacity and to, in fact, transfer some of this technology to the North. We talked a lot about capacity building, but this is one concrete way to address this. Mr. Speaker, I would like to see unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? You have unanimous consent, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. When we talk about transfer of technology, it's something that we are most familiar with in a global context and we look at countries who have been very successful at achieving this and others who haven't. We use the example of Korea and the auto industry. Much of the technology that they have perfected and developed was through agreements and partnerships with the big three auto makers in the States. They, in fact, insisted that there be something left behind in their country and there be a real transfer of technology. Other countries like Mexico have been less successful. Countries have been able to operate factories and get access to cheap Mexican labour, but not really leave anything behind. If you look at the difference, Mr. Speaker -- and many economists have studied this -- the difference is in government policy and a commitment to this transfer of technology. I think that's something that is lacking in this government. It's something I would like to see improved and a good step towards that would be the creation of a statutory office that would look at procurement for this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once again I want to stand up in the House and voice my concerns about the harmonization initiative. This issue has...

...motion on the harmonization which you are bringing forth later today, so it may be inappropriate for you to speak to that issue since you do have a motion on the orders for today. You can speak around it, but don't speak about it.

I will cancel my Member's statement.

Item 3, Members' statements. Colleagues, I would like to direct your attention to the presence in the visitors' gallery of Warrant Officer Yancy Savard, who has with him Junior Rangers from Nunavut who are here competing in the air rifle competition among the three territories. I would like to welcome you to the Legislative Assembly.

---Applause

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Speaker, this week I had the opportunity to see us as legislators through the eyes of Pages and I would just like to thank two Hay River residents for paging in the Assembly this week, Claire MacDonald and Jullian Groenewegen. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today my questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, it is often spoken in this House about the need for maximizing northern employment and how we, as a government, must continue to encourage our northern educated youth to return to the North to seek gainful employment. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to explain to this House exactly what the process is for northern post-secondary students applying to the Government of the Northwest Territories for summer employment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will do my best. The responsibility for summer employment is really the responsibility of the Executive, Mr. Speaker, under the Premier. However, I will do my best to answer the question if I can. The process would be to submit applications to the specific departments. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's recently come to my attention that a new directive was issued to government departments that if our northern post-secondary students are not registered on the government's Northwise Web site, they will not be eligible for summer employment with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Would the Minister confirm for this House that indeed is the new government's policy on summer student employment with the GNWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not familiar because I am not the Minister, as I said, responsible for summer employment and that question would have to be answered by the Minister responsible. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was under the impression that the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment is in charge of maximizing northern employment and summer employment programs. If he is not the Minister, I would ask that he direct the question to whoever is in charge of that.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That question definitely has to be answered by the Minister of the Executive. If that policy was issued, that policy would have to come from that particular department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have to try to get on the list again and ask the appropriate Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Roland.