Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Looking at the numbers of the affirmative action employees across the GNWT, and I believe we have about 1,608, that's a good indication that our government and the departments are serious about applying affirmative action into the positions that they open. However, having said that, I've also, in my initial briefing with the department when I first got Human Resources, I made it quite clear that I would be watching very closely the number of affirmative action employees that were hired. I want to make it quite clear, though, that a lot of these employees, I want them to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee Annual Report 2015-2016" and "Conference of Management Authorities Species at Risk Annual Report 2015-2016." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my understanding is that there was some issue with the design and the way it was constructed. I think we're currently working with the architect now and seeing if there's a way we can salvage what is there and, if not, it may have to come down and do another one.

But it's a little premature; we have to work with the architect and also the contractor. I had the opportunity to have a look at it while I was in Fort Simpson and I got a little bit of background on it, so we're wanting to ensure that we have a safe operating environment for wildlife officers that...

Mr. Speaker, this is a project that this government has been quite excited about, and the benefits it'll bring to technology down the valley, and of course I will keep committee apprised as to going forward. I know there's a winter bill season, that's when they are hoping to have it completed, and we are hoping to have it lit up by I believe it's this spring. So there's a short little stretch to go, but the plan is to try to have that completed this spring. But I will keep committee apprised as to the work going forward.

Yes, I would, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the P3 partner is actually the contractor on this particular project and they have deals worked out with the subcontractors, and we have no role to play, it's not our contract. So there's really not much we can do. Any issues that might be happening would be between the contractor and subcontractors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It was procured through an RFP. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, at this point, no, I haven't had the opportunity to speak with our MP; however, I will commit to having a conversation with Mr. McLeod, and as far as writing to the appropriate federal Minister, no, that hasn't been done yet.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, to date, the GNWT has spent $19.5 million from 1998 to 2015 for the Human Resource Information System and $22.5 million from 2009 to 2016 for the System for Accountability and Management or SAM. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Member said in his Member's statement that this is a privately-owned company and they were paying into a pension plan. To this point, we haven't had much contact with any of the parties involved. I think we play a very limited exposure that we have to NTCL and we don’t really have a standing in the bankruptcy proceedings. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.