Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Bromley on October 26, 2009, regarding sole-source contracts; specifically sole-source consulting contracts given by departments during the life of this Assembly to former Members of the Legislative Assembly and former GNWT public servants at or above the director level.
Since the question was asked, the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment has released the Government of the Northwest Territories Contracts Over $5,000 Report for the Year Ending March 31, 2009. This report, together with the contracts report for the year ending March 31, 2008, will provide specific information on the contracts Mr. Bromley asked about; however, I would draw the Members’ particular attention to the following sole-source contracts with former Ministers or former senior managers of either the 15th or 16th Assemblies:
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A contract with Stephen Iveson, a former
director with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, concerning the Dehcho Process negotiations and Acho Dene Koe First Nation negotiations, awarded in 2008-09.
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A contract with Terry Pierce, a former director with the Financial Management Board Secretariat (FMBS), for a review of the Financial Administration Act, awarded in 2008-09.
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A contract with Greg Robertson, a former
director with FMBS, for consulting services, awarded in 2008-09.
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A contract with BDK Applied Management
Services for consultation and communication services, awarded in 2008-09. Former deputy minister Lynn Elkin is a principal with BDK.
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Two contracts with Cleveland Consulting, one concerning board reform and income security reform, and one concerning a review of electricity rates. Cleveland Consulting was
founded by former deputy minister Mark Cleveland. Both contracts were awarded in 2008-09.
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Two contracts awarded to NWT 5750 Ltd. for services related to the Deh Cho Bridge Project. Former deputy minister Lew Voytilla is a principal with NWT 5750 Ltd. Both contracts were awarded in 2008-09.
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A contract with Jim Winsor, Winsor Financial Services, for consultation service. Mr. Winsor was a former director with the Department of Transportation (DOT), awarded in 2007-08.
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A contract with Allen and Allen to undertake consultations with aboriginal groups regarding land claims and impact benefit agreements. Leslie Allen, a former director with Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), is a principal with Allen and Allen, awarded in 2008-09.
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A contract with Peter Bannon, a former director with the Department of Executive, for analysis and advice related to devolution and resource revenue sharing, awarded in 2007-08.
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Two contracts with Langford Consulting, one for facilitating a workshop related to the development of a social policy framework, and one for developing wilderness activities guidelines. Mr. Langford is a former director with Health and Social Services (HSS). Both contracts were awarded in 2008-09.
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A contract with Matthews Energy Consulting concerning the development of a northern energy resources communications strategy. Doug Matthews, a former director with Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), leads Matthews Energy Consulting, awarded in 2007-08.
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A contract with Northern Strategy Group for advice and assistance to the Premier’s office. Former Minister Brendan Bell and former Principal Secretary Richard Bargery are both principals with the Northern Strategy Group, awarded in 2007-08.
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A contract with Al Woods, former chief
executive officer at Stanton Territorial Hospital, for his services as public administrator at Stanton, awarded in 2008-09.
I would also bring to Members’ attention the following contracts that have been entered into during the current year, which will be reported in the next edition of the contracts report:
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A contract between the Department of Finance (DOF) and Cleveland Consulting, in connection with the Revenue Roundtable.
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A contract between HSS and Langford
Consulting concerning a review of supplementary health benefits review.
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Two contracts between Public Works and
Services and TJ Consultants Ltd. for project management consultation services. Joe Auger,
a former director with PWS, is a principal with TJ Consultants.
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A contract with BDK Applied Management
Services for consultation and communication services provided to DOF.
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A contract ITI awarded to Doug Matthews of Matthews Consulting for service related to electricity rates and regulations.
Though they fall outside the scope of the Contracts Over $5,000 Report, Members might also be interested to know that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources entered in a $3,300 contract with BDK Applied Management Services, and that ECE entered into a $1,300 contract with former ECE director Charles Tolley.