Robert Bouchard

Does committee agree that this concludes consideration of Bill 55?

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Next I have Ms. Bisaro.

To the bill as a whole

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. Committee, we’ll go to general comments on Bill 55. General comments. Mr. Dolynny.

Does committee also agree that we’ll take it in groups of 20?

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Mr. Minister, do you have witnesses you’d like to bring into the House?

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, committee. We’ll start with Bill 55, Mental Health Act. Committee has agreed to consider Bill 55, Mental Health Act. I’ll go to the Minister responsible for opening remarks. Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Abernethy.

We’re not being unreasonable here. We know there are several companies that supply trucks to the Northwest Territories. We have no problem with other companies bidding truck versus truck, but we need that work done in the Northwest Territories. Currently, some of the bids that are going forward are 51 percent over a $200,000 project; 51 percent is labour, construction, welding in the Northwest Territories, with the one contractor. With the other contractor, that work is being done in Ontario and in Quebec.

Is the Minister committed to making companies required to do the work in the North?