Daryl Dolynny

Thank you. Page 54, court services, infrastructure investments, $867,000. Does committee agree? Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, committee. Sergeant-at-Arms, if you would escort the witnesses in, please.

Minister McLeod, would you be kind enough to introduce your witnesses this evening?

Thank you. Mr. Hawkins.

So, it is safe to say that we don’t know if it has any residual value that we are going to be surplusing and selling it, or are we able to bring it up to another airport or maybe use it as a backup? It sounds like a pretty expensive piece of machinery. I don’t think these units… Maybe age might be an issue. I don’t think these units see a lot of traction time. Again, I am just trying to see how, again, repurposing these very expensive pieces of equipment that have very low hours. Thank you.

So, although the GNWT basks in the glory of a defined measure such as an Aa1 Moody credit rating for its debt management and current debt load, the real landscape paints a much bleaker forecast than Moody’s can safely measure.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, we must be cautious moving forward. This was invariably echoed yesterday by the Finance Minister in his fiscal update. It is for these reasons of ignoring the warning bells that my assessment of the McLeod government in dealing with debt and borrowing management will only muster a C grade. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Is committee prepared to go to detail?

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. I have another question from another Member on this activity. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, committee. At this time I would like to thank Ms. Young, Mr. Williams, thank you for joining us and, of course, the Minister, R.C. McLeod. Thank you again. If I could get the Sergeant-at-Arms to please escort the witnesses out of the Chamber. Thank you.

Okay, we’re going to turn our attention now to the next on the list, the NWT Housing Corporation and the Minister responsible. I’ll ask him if he has any witnesses to bring in. Minister McLeod.

Okay, so what I’m hearing is that 8,400 square metres of vacancy space in Yellowknife. What is that in square feet, because I deal in different numeric here. What’s that in square feet?

We also know that, I believe, there was a contingency reserve fund put aside within this project. I can’t remember the exact number, but I believe it was around $5 million. Has any of that contingency money been used, and if so, how much and for what and is there any anticipation that that contingency fund might be used in this upcoming construction season? Thank you.