Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Madam Chair. The department would have no problem with meeting with Diavik on their programs or energy-efficient programs. The decision on what type of stipulations that we put on industry in as far as energy conservation will be a government decision, not Public Works and Services’ decision. Thank you.

In addition to biomass still being feasible, we know that it contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Also, in future, there’s a possibility that there may be an increase in the cost of the heating fuel. I know that the Member speaks about the traditional economy and that they need to have lower gas prices to pursue their hunting and trapping and so on.

So, our intent is this Friday in Colville Lake we will lower the cost of gasoline by 24 cents a litre. Also, in Fort Simpson right now, the Power Corp is installing solar panels at the NTPC generator, so they’re going to be looking at...

Yes, currently that is where we are buying the fuel that is going into the Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are currently working on the second bundle, which includes some work that wasn’t on our highways but is some access road money. So that second bundle is something that we are currently putting together. We’re trying to put the bundles together that are just under $100 million. Of course, there will be a third bundle, as well, which is going to be mostly bridges, then there will be a fourth bundle, which is the completion of this current bundle, the first bundle.

Thank you, Madam Chair. To my immediate right is the deputy Minister of Public Works and Services, Paul Guy. To my immediate left is director of corporate services, Steve Lewis, and to my far right, director, Technology Service Centre, Laurie Gault.

That item is, again, up for renewal and we are working with the community. My understanding is that there is going to be a new building and we have agreed that we would be moving into the new building.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 49, An Act to Amend the Deh Cho Bridge Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’d like to have the director, Laurie Gault, respond to that, and perhaps if the Minister of Finance could add to the response, then that would be good as well.

This is not just a small communities issue. If this is implemented across the board, it will leave a substantial number of contractors unable to work with the GNWT. That includes large companies that are not registered in the contract management system, including subs. There are contractors that are going to be able to get jobs, but their subs won’t be able to go on site. Contract management systems can be used to prequalify contractors. So, in a sense, if a contractor is not registered with the contract management system, then they wouldn’t be able to bid. We could also be able to do an...

That is one of the things that, as a division, starting on April 1st, we will be following up on very soon into the creation of that division.