Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My colleagues, especially the Premier and Minister of Transportation, are well aware of my questions of the Deh Cho Bridge Project at every turn since becoming a Member of this House in 2003. Mr. Speaker, as much as it might pain some people in this building, I am going to continue to question the project over the course of this special sitting of the House.

Mr. Speaker, during this sitting, I will be seeking clarification on a number of issues. The first is what exactly we have committed to as a government with Ruskin for the remaining work on the project. I want to know specifically when the contracts were signed and by whom they were signed. When were milestones reached on negotiations for the notice to award and the intent to award and the notice to proceed? What currently is the Government of the Northwest Territories’ legal authority over these contracts and can we avoid taking on the responsibility that these contracts entail?

Mr. Speaker, my belief is we continue to compound bad decisions with more bad decisions. If we are to take this project on lock, stock and barrel, then work should be stopped on this project. A complete and thorough audit has to be done of the work performed by the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and contractors who have worked on this project. Before we rush into spending almost $100 million more, should we not take complete stock of where we have been and get assurances that the construction to date is of a quality and standard that would warrant us spending additional money? This seems only logical to me.

Why then have we rushed into and negotiated a sole-source contract when we know full well that others would have submitted bids? If we went to tender, perhaps even Ruskin may have gotten the bid.

Don’t we have an obligation to the taxpayers and the public to manage the public purse? I am left wondering why was the government so intent on a sole-source deal with Ruskin. It would seem to me that perhaps it was the easy way out. Ruskin was owed money. They are familiar with the project and

they know, Mr. Speaker, in which closets the skeletons are hung. The government would not have to answer questions from a new contractor.

Mr. Speaker, I have not wavered from my belief that the Deh Cho Bridge Project has got to be seen through to its completion. Given the history of the project, I just want to make sure that good…