Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to say at the outset – and I’m speaking of the Inuvik to Tuk Highway Project – that I support this project but I have serious concerns about the ask that we’re being asked to consider here in this budget. That’s the $40 million change in cash flow to
accommodate the new construction schedule and timetable that has been put before us.
I expressed my concerns the other day. Our cash position is going to require us to do some borrowing that’s going to add to our expenses. It seems to me that this is being done with little regard for our fiscal strategy and our fiscal position. Members are constantly being told there’s no money, there’s no money, there’s no money, and we ask for $100,000 for a particular program or service that we think is important and we’re told there’s no money, and yet it seems that we can turn around and find $40 million or borrow $40 million and find or borrow $20 million pretty much at the drop of a hat. So, it’s not so much the project that I’m concerned about but the way that it’s now being proposed to be funded.
My first question to the Minister is: When did the Minister and government know that there was going to be a need to change the cash flow payments for this project? This $40 million is an increase over what was projected for this budget year. There’s an increase projected for the next budget year as well. So, when did the department or when did the Minister or the government know that there was going to be the need to change how the money was flowing to the contractor? Thank you.