This is page numbers 4657 - 4718 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was project.

Topics

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, a couple of things. First of all, I think any time there’s a question about whether we’re doing our job properly or the project is being referred to as not doing due diligence in certain areas, it’s of concern to us and at the same time if there are issues being raised to the Member or any other Members, we want to hear about it. We’d certainly welcome a sit down briefing and we’d really appreciate to see what he’s discussing or what’s being brought to his attention.

Again, we are concerned that somebody involved in the project who is a professional would take this route rather than come to us or anybody involved with the project directly. Having said that, our involvement on the project in the first year was quite limited in terms of having people on site. It was managed by the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and we, as a government, did not have a regular scheduled visit with any of our staff. We had people go onside and do quick inspections, look at reports and things of that nature.

In the second year, this past year, we changed our methodology. We no longer used the project management board. We inserted ourselves in different aspects of the construction season. We had people on site on a regular basis; weekly if not at least biweekly.

So there are two different scenarios and two different ways we dealt with this project, which differed from the first year to the second year. We could, I guess, compile that information at some point to provide to the Member on the actual days. We don’t have that information right with us today.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

I thank the Minister for that. I guess considering the Government of the Northwest Territories had, or still has, a $165 million ticket out there on the line, I’m surprised that we weren’t more involved early on. I know we probably gave too much slack to the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation. In hindsight, we probably should have been there. The department should have been there. We should have been watching what was going on there, especially in that first year of construction, and we didn’t.

Again, I am appreciative of the fact that the department has stepped in last year and they continue to maintain a presence there with the new project management team as well because, like I said, the bottom line for me is that the project gets done the right way and all the issues are addressed before we spend any more money. That’s what I want to try to get at through these questions.

I, again, certainly will sit down with the Minister, as soon as possible, and his staff , as well as any other Member who wants to come to the meeting and I’ll show him what I’ve got and I’ll talk to him about what I know. Hopefully we can address some of these concerns, because at the end of the day, we are going to be spending another $90 million on this project and we need to have every assurance that we’re not throwing good money after bad and that this project is going to get done and done right. So with that, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

More of a comment than a question. Transportation, capital investment expenditures, highways, not previously authorized, $165.439 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Total department, not previously authorized, $165.439 million.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does committee agree that Tabled Document 8-16(5), Supplementary Appropriation No. 2, 2010-2011 (Infrastructure Expenditures), is concluded?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 8-16(5), Supplementary Appropriation No. 2, 2010-2011 (Infrastructure Expenditures), be now concluded and that Tabled Document 8-16(5) be reported and recommended as ready for further

consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Question has been called.

---Carried

I’d like to thank the Minister and witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses out.

What is the wish of committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

I will rise and report progress.

Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Could I have report of Committee of the Whole, Mr. Krutko.

Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 8-16(5), Supplementary Appropriation No. 2, 2010-2011 (Infrastructure Expenditures), and would like to report progress, with three motions being adopted, and that consideration of Tabled Document 8-16(5) be concluded and that the House concur in those estimates and that an appropriation bill be based thereon be introduced without delay.. Mr. Speaker, I move the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. A motion is on the floor. Do we have a seconder? The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

---Carried

Item 22, third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day

March 22nd, 2010

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Orders of the day for Wednesday, March 24 2010, at 1:30 p.m.:

1. Prayer

2. Ministers’

Statements

3. Members’

Statements

4. Returns to Oral Questions

5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

6. Acknowledgements

7. Oral

Questions

8. Written

Questions

9. Returns to Written Questions

10. Replies to Opening Address

11. Petitions

12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees

13. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

14. Tabling of Documents

15. Notices of Motion

16. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills

17. Motions

- Motion 5-16(5), Request for Special Audit by the Auditor General of Canada on the Deh Cho Bridge Project

18. First Reading of Bills

19. Second Reading of Bills

20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of

Bills and Other Matters

- Tabled Document 4-16(5), Executive Summary of the Report of the Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project

21. Report of Committee of the Whole

22. Third Reading of Bills

23. Orders of the Day

Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 9:33 p.m.