Thanks, Mr. Chair. I, too, would like to commend our committee and staff for the work that was done. I have had concerns raised with me about procurement practices here in the Northwest Territories. When some of these issues have been brought to the floor, the Minister hasn't been terribly receptive. I guess committee felt that we just couldn't wait any longer for anything to be done.
We had a retreat in Norman Wells. Certainly, I said to the committee, "Look. If we are serious about this work, we have to do something about it." A survey was conducted, and I'm glad to see this work come out for the public to see, as well.
For me, what I've seen is an increasing trend towards large P3 projects, public/private partnerships. These are very complex arrangements, very difficult to understand, large amounts of money involved, but there doesn't seem to be any Northern benefit requirements built into the contracting or the arrangements that are put in place around these.
Stanton renewal, the new hospital is in my riding, and I was hearing complaints about the lack of jobs, training, and apprenticeships for Northerners. I think that is something that we need to focus very clearly on. I had hoped that the report would draw that out a little more clearly but, of course, it really reflects what we heard. Certainly, one of my main concerns is ensuring that we build in Northern benefit requirements into these large infrastructure projects, particularly P3s, so that there are Northern employment, training, apprenticeship requirements.
I do want to compliment the Minister of Infrastructure. I think it was Infrastructure or Finance. Last week, talked about the work that is going to be undertaken on the Tlicho all-season road. He said that there were going to be northern benefits requirements. I've asked him for more information on that. I'm looking forward to getting it tabled in the House before the end of the sitting, but that's an example of what we can and should be doing.
I hope that our Cabinet colleagues will take this report and its recommendations in the spirit in which it's offered to improve our current approach and policies and practices, and actually take some action on them. Thank you, Mr. Chair.