Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Members of this and previous Assemblies have expressed numerous concerns about the economic viability of the Deh Cho Bridge Project and the far-reaching impacts of this project on the financial well-being of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the Deh Cho Bridge Project has been described as a public/private partnership between the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and a private builder;

AND WHEREAS the fundamental features of this partnership, including the long-term liabilities and obligations of the Government of the Northwest Territories, are included in a concession agreement that was executed in the final days of the 15th Legislative Assembly and has never been made public or scrutinized by the Legislative Assembly in a public forum;

AND WHEREAS the increasing costs, changing responsibilities and the uncertainty over the status of the signed partners to the concession agreement have led to serious uncertainty as to the potentially grave long-term implications of this project on the financial health of the Government of the Northwest Territories;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that this Legislative Assembly requests that the Auditor General of Canada undertake a special audit of the Deh Cho Bridge Project and report thereon to the Legislative Assembly;

AND FURTHER, that this audit investigate the long-term financial implications of the partnership arrangements, compliance with the Financial Administration Act, Deh Cho Bridge Corporation Act and the financial policies of the Government of the Northwest Territories, value for money considerations, control, appropriation authority, reporting and adherence to standard public procurement practices;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Auditor General investigate and consider any other factors that, in her opinion, she feels relevant;

AND FURTHERMORE, that all employees and officials actively cooperate with the Auditor General in providing all appropriate documents, papers and information;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government inform the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and all relevant contractors of the nature and purpose of the special audit;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Auditor General is requested to complete the special audit as soon as practicable and provide a report to the Legislative Assembly;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Speaker formally transmit this motion and the content of our proceedings today to the Auditor General of Canada for her consideration.