Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we don't believe it is a cash flow problem. I mean, we do anticipate some lapses and that as we go into the capital estimates. As far as the Member's question, I mean, we do try to get these projects out the door as quickly as possible, but the short answer to the Member's question is that we don't believe it is a cash flow problem. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I take the Member's point, and I think it is something that we need to look at if there is trouble getting contractors in some of these places, if we were to get a qualified person into the community to hire some locals to do the work and have them oversee it and sign off on it, because I think, for some of these, you almost have to be a journeyman carpenter now.

I have seen it work in the past. In one of the communities that I lived in, I have seen where they had a local journeyman. They had a number of workers that worked there, and they actually did a very...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, a contract is in place for this project, as well. Some of the particular details that the Member is looking for, we are trying to gather that information. If it helps, I can commit to gathering information and sharing it with the Member, but contracts are in place. I am not sure what their timelines are like. We will have to have a conversation with the contractors. I will gather that information through the department and share it with Member Testart. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my understanding is the equipment was purchased in March of 2018. Delivery is expected in May of 2018. You don't actually pay for it until you have delivery. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I take the Member's point that we do want the benefits of a lot of the money that's spent by the government to be with government firms, or with territorial firms. I think in the past they have tried to break down some of the contracts. I'm not sure about the infrastructure side of the highway contract, but I can have a conversation with the Minster of Infrastructure. We've heard your concerns, we've heard concerns from some of the businesspeople around the Northwest Territories about the fact that they feel that some of the southern companies come in and take...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we are asking for $344,000 to extend the Liard River Ferry by two hours, 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., during 2018 ferry season to accommodate industry transportation requirement. The net effect on government operations is nil, as these expenditures will be fully offset by contributions from Enbridge. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, if you go back a few years, last year, I believe we had $126 million in carry-overs; 2016-2017, we had about $137 million in carry-overs; 2015-2016, we had $6 million in carry-overs. As far as the lack of capacity of the department, I believe the department has capacity. I can't speak on behalf of the Minister. If they feel that they are challenged for capacity in delivering some of these programs, then it's a conversation we need to have at the Cabinet table and as an Assembly when we debate the next round of the operations budget. The Member had asked...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, because this is parks, they have a very short season to get a lot of this work done. I would think that that would be the reason for some of the carry-overs. There are some projects that need to be done when the weather warms up. Again, I have committed to trying to find a little bit more information and share that with committee. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If I could redirect the question through you to the Minister of Justice?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, other than knowing that the contract has been awarded, I am not sure about the exact size of the building and that. For $217,000, it should be larger than a phone booth. Thank you, Mr. Chair.