Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my questions will be for the Minister of Infrastructure. When we are looking at the Manufactured Products Policy, and I was looking at it, and it said at least 25 percent has NWT value, the price is no more than 20 percent greater than similar products, FOB the site of a manufacturer, or 25 percent greater than a similar product, FOB the destination for final delivery. Can the Minister, please advise us what that policy entails, and what is the amount of percentage that manufacturers get in the North? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Development has reviewed Bill 45: Corrections Act. Mr. Speaker, committee wishes to report that Bill 45 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I guess that will lead me to my next question. What happens if the contract does not fulfill the commitments that they say they are doing in the contract?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have follow-up questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Can the Minister advise us, in the contracts, does it have a clause which states how many Northerners will be used on the job and where the company will get their accommodations, fuel, and food, especially when we are using southern companies? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister said, "A lot of people do not understand our BIP adjustment is subject to [the] Canadian free trade agreements and international [...] agreements." Can the Minister advise us how BIP has an impact on the Canadian free trade and international agreements moving forward?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Tuesday, the Minister of Infrastructure said, "What BC is trying to do, I am not even sure if they are doing it. I have to double check." Can the Minister tell us if he or his department has reached out to BC government on how they deal with out-of-province contractors? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had the pleasure of being invited into Mary Deneron's home during my last visit to Sambaa K'e. I would like to thank her for a great visit. I was very fortunate that her grandson was able translate for me. I would like to thank Dennis for coming in with me.

Mary Deneron was born between Sambaa K'e and Fort Liard to Baptiste and Anna Jumbo on July 16, 1931. She had nine other siblings: six brothers and three sisters. Mary remembers life being very hard. She had the responsibility to cut wood, bring it into the home, and check the fish nets year-round. As well, she...

Thank you. I thank the Minister for his answers moving forward. My last question is basically: we are seeing a lot of southern companies come in and take contracts from northern companies. Has the department or the government looked at making sure that they have a socio-economic impact and economic multipliers as part of it because right now, when we see money, southern companies get contracts? That money is going down south with limited money staying back. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Since this could be part of the tender process or tender contract, how does the department ensure that part of this is actually being followed by the contractors?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the Minister providing the answers to us here today. I realize the Minister thinks that the BIP policy is probably one of the best policies that the Government of the Northwest Territories ever created. I would have to agree. It is a great policy in the original state. However, it has been changed to what some northern contractors that I have talked to don't think is a great policy, and we are seeing more and more southern companies come north and taking away contracts and jobs. Will the Minister be willing to look at the policy that was originally in...