Thank you, Mr. Chair. This project has, unfortunately, seen some significant delays, and this one really is squarely at the feet of COVID-19. What occurred is that some initial work was done on the Tulita Health Centre but then when COVID-19 struck, unfortunately, the community was, you know, obviously taking into consideration the safety of their members and didn't want to be bringing in some of the experts and construction crews that were required to support the capacity in the community. As such, the contractor then wasn't in a position to advance the project, and it's now is delayed approximately three years. And that is the reason for the negative appropriation because the timing of it is such that in this fiscal year, the project didn't get to the point of requiring those funds. That said, I can say that there's been some work -- and coupled with that -- Mr. Chair, coupled with that there's now, of course as with so many other things, between inflation and rising costs of projects and materials, there's been an increase in the project costs. So that's required us to go back and just re-examine how this is going to go forward and work with the contractor to confirm that they can proceed. And that's where I can say that it is expected at this point that we are in a position to get going and get back to this as of this spring. Thank you.
Caroline Wawzonek on Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 26th, 2024. See this statement in context.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 26th, 2024
Page 246
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