David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I feel very strongly that we need to learn a lesson in what happened here. The only way for me to get some satisfaction that we have learned a lesson is to find out exactly what happened, who the players were and why that agreement was signed on September 28th. Can I ask the Premier to find out why that agreement was signed on September 28th? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier. Again, it relates to the Deh Cho Bridge project and what I see as a rush to sign a concession agreement that was, by most accounts, an incomplete concession agreement signed on the 28th day of September. That was a Friday. It was three days prior to the territorial election on October 1st. I would like to ask the Premier if, in fact, he would call for a public inquiry as to the conduct of the previous government in dealing with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and the signing of this incomplete agreement? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I’m wondering why the government would sign the concession agreement on the 28th of September -- a multi-million dollar deal, a multi-year deal -- without, again, the approval of the Members of the last Legislative Assembly. It looks like the project is full steam ahead; the concession agreement has been signed. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister if he would entertain a full public inquiry as to the decision-making process on this project. I think the public deserves to know…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya. They get back to the Deh Cho Bridge project and the concession agreement that was alluded to earlier and was signed on the 28th of September, three days prior to the territorial election on October 1st. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation, what was the communications plan with the public on detailing the concession agreement? When they went to Fort Providence with the shovels and the photo op, that was when the limited approval was signed off, the concession agreement...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a moment to welcome my colleagues back to the House. Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure and an honour to be back here in this building working with you and the other Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, on November 7th, at 9:58 a.m., my wife, Amanda, and I welcomed into the world a son.

---Applause

Thank you, colleagues. His name is Malachi David Ramsay. He weighed just under five pounds at birth and came to us five weeks ahead of schedule. He was born at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton and had to spend 12 days there before...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a question for the Premier, and I think it’s important that the Regular Members and the public know, I’d just like to ask the Premier if he has a time estimate on when portfolio assignments will be given out to the new Cabinet? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The only information we got during the life of the last government, we got high-level information on what was happening and really we were only consulted when the government wanted to go ahead and increase the loan guarantee. I certainly think we do need to work together. The information needs to come back and forth. The legislation the Premier in the last government and this government is relying on is only a vehicle to get a bridge built. It’s got no numbers in it. It’s very difficult for us when the government is making decisions, especially on spending, without...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am just wondering in terms of costs. Is there a final cost on the Deh Cho Bridge project and the tolls that are going to be associated with this project? Where is the financing after this project, Mr. Speaker? That is the question I have. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier referenced contracts being signed and I know we don't want to go back to work that was done by the last government, but specifically what contracts have been signed and what are the obligations of the Government of the Northwest Territories -- and I'm talking about his government -- what are the obligations his government is going to have going forward on the Deh Cho Bridge project, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

The Members of this House and the people in our communities will be watching closely to see how this all unfolds. The government has to listen to us, Mr. Speaker. We are the voice of the people here in the Northwest Territories.

The last government had some difficulty listening to the Members, the Regular Members of this House, Mr. Speaker. I want this government to pay attention to what the Regular Members of this House have to say, because we do listen to the people that live in our communities and we bring their concerns forward.

I know one thing is for certain: We won't go anywhere...