Glen Abernethy

I’m not sure where that particular number of the market comes from, or the GNWT’s construction. We build a wide variety of types of buildings. Speciality buildings have different costs than other more generalized buildings. I do have to say that this building is being built to a high standard. We have certain codes within the GNWT that we, as a government, have already accepted as far as building practices, efficiencies. This is going to be a state-of-the-art building. We have gone out for an open competition. We have gone to the market and these are the prices that have come in. We are...

Certainly it is an interesting idea. I will talk to the department. I will talk to the TSC to find out what might be the best way to make sure that people have information and people understand that there is product available should they choose, and where we go from there, certainly address them working with communities and schools to get those products out to them.

Thank you, Madam Chair. It would purely be my opinion, but as MLA for the Northwest Territories I have constantly and I will always be a supporter of the arts. When the Member asked similar questions about office space before, I agreed to work closely with Education, Culture and Employment and I will continue to work with Education, Culture and Employment and ITI, who have roles in supporting arts in the Northwest Territories. I think the Member’s suggestion that office space might be a reasonable place to support northern artists, I think that’s certainly an interesting idea and that’s why we...

Thank you, Madam Chair. With me today is Paul Guy, the deputy minister of Public Works and Services.

I will ask that the chair go to Deputy Minister Guy, who has actually some specifics that address the questions Mr. Dolynny has just asked. We do those types of things and auction wasn’t really the right term. We have stuff in our warehouse that’s available to be acquired once it’s gone through any other means of disposal. Thank you.

In no way have we committed to this project. We have indicated that we are certainly willing to look at all options that save the government money over time, and if they present a business case that is a saving or even comparable to what we are going to be saving through our new building and the energy efficiencies we are putting in that building, including our biomass system in that building, if the price is comparable, we would certainly be interested in talking, but there is zero commitment at this point. There is nothing to the city saying that we’re committed to this project. We haven’t...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled Additional Information for GNWT Response to Committee Report 1-17(3) to Review the NWT Information and Privacy Commissioner’s 2010-2011 Annual Report.

Thanks, Madam Chair. All equipment, all of the computer equipment and technology that the users, the staff in the GNWT use, has a lifecycle as determined by the CIO’s office and it is replaced on that lifecycle. That lifecycle is basically what evergreening is. When a piece of equipment hits the end of its lifecycle, it is replaced.

The Member shares exactly the same concerns I have with this same process. We still need to get a sense of space. There may not be as much and it may not be appropriate for all purposes. We certainly aren’t a retail outlet for art and we don’t want to be a retail outlet for art. We don’t want to challenge or compete with those outlets that are involved in selling art. It’s about displaying local artists. It shouldn’t be too complicated to figure out, but we will, absolutely, work with our colleagues.

Thanks, Madam Chair. There were some delays. There were some issues around design and whatnot and some budget issues as well. I believe for certain aspects of it, in particular the chimney systems, a contract has been awarded. The kitchen is out for tender right now, but with the chimney we were notified, I believe it was last week, about some issues that they’re having with the chimneys that I shared with Members. Those issues have been dealt with and they should be proceeding with the chimney and moving to the kitchen once the RFP is concluded. Just as a note, the work is scheduled to be...