Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll ask Mr. Aumond to give us the history of how we got the bids and the decision that resulted from that and the decision he made to move to our proposal to build our own building.

Mr. Chairman, Environment and Natural Resources equips all of their offices and all of their staff in the field. The issue of vehicle use has been raised. I understand from talking to the deputy that they’re on the way to resolving that issue so that there is adequate service in all the communities.

If the educational program or functional review is completed on time and if Public Works gets the document and can do their design work around what is going to be required for an educational footprint and if that is done in a timely way, as the Minister of Public Works and Services has indicated, he will bring that forward to FMB for their consideration. The Member is correct that if there is, through this process, an opportunity to start doing things in a phased in way, which is why this project is laid out with the money that is there, and if there is a possibility to phase it in at a more...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There was an FMB submission on June 20 for additional funds.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

After the receipt of the unsolicited proposals and looking at the portfolio we do have in terms of where all our office space is and the percentage of leased versus owned, the decision was made to proceed with the plans that are now presented for the government to build and own and operate their own office space.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll refer that question to Minister Bob McLeod.

I thought accelerated rate was very clear, but I’ll get the Minister of Public Works and Services to make it even clearer.

Mr. Chairman, that information has already been provided to all the Members. It is the information that we are referring to in the House here, and it is our most current information.

What I can speak to is what I understand the process to be, which is that should a Member, an MLA who is the Minister, write a letter of support, in this case for a negotiated contract, when that decision comes before Cabinet for approval, the Minister who wrote that letter of support would declare conflict and leave the room through the full course of the proceedings up to the vote and a decision being made.