Mr. Speaker, as many people will know, the Regular Members of the Legislative Assembly have been meeting lately to talk about ideas for strategic reductions, since the government has advised us that we need to find $135 million over the next two years. It’s been a very interesting discussion, and at some point our report and recommendations will be made public.
For those who don’t know, there’s a very interesting document available in our library. It’s called “Contracts Over $5,000.” It’s a public description of all contracts over $5,000. To anybody who wants some interesting reading material, I highly recommend it.
Lately, since we’ve been looking at ways to save money, I had Research pull together a list of contracts related to consulting companies that do not reside in the Northwest Territories. It’s very easy to identify those from outside the Territories.
We procure things such as strategic advice, consulting services — this is the description from the contract book — communication services, a review, strategic planning, case studies, support services, speaking engagements, diamond advisory. These ones, just from outside of the Territories, come to over $4.4 million for one year, in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.
I have a couple of questions for the Premier about the way these kinds of contracts are let. I would like to know, when Ministers decide they need some kind of support in the consulting area of a very generic type, as many of these are, what process do they have to go through to get that approved? Do you get to approve that, as the Premier?