Roland Bailey awarded contract to find economic opportunities
| Fact File |
| GNWT advertises request for proposals April 20 in News/North calling for proposals for economic strategies for Nunavut and the Western Arctic. Deadline for proposals is April 30 at 5 p.m. |
| Project work to begin May 1, 1998. |
| The first draft of both strategies to have been completed for cabinet review by June 30, 1998. |
| Both strategies to be complete, in final draft, by July 31, 1998. |
| The proposal should demonstrate experience and expertise in the areas of project management and co-ordination, research and analysis, economic opportunity identification and evaluation, knowledge of social, economic and political environment, knowledge of Northern business environment and other relevant experience or expertise such as verbal, communication and written skills. |
Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services
NNSL (Jul 17/98) - A key player in the conflict of interest complaint against Premier Don Morin has landed himself another lucrative contract with the territorial government.
Roland Bailey, a former deputy minister and cabinet secretary, has been invited to develop economic strategies for Nunavut and the new western territory, a contract worth, according to government sources, about $300,000.
"The need is urgent and these strategies will provide a basis for the two new governments to act quickly," said Finance Minister John Todd Wednesday.
The strategies will try to identify key economic development opportunities in Nunavut and the western territory. It will look at partnerships in infrastructure, community, business and labor force development and find ways to take advantage of potential in these areas.
Bailey is already a consultant for the GNWT and investment adviser for its two immigrant investment funds, the Aurora Fund and Aurora Fund II, which are collectively worth more than $60,000,000.
"We need the best expertise and advice available from the private and public sectors," said Todd.
Bailey and his investment partner, Mike Mrdjenovich, were also successful in purchasing Lahm Ridge Tower last fall and convincing the GNWT to sign a 10-year lease extension to provide office space to the GNWT at a time when there was a surplus of office space in the city.
The controversial lease extension is among the potential conflicts named in a complaint laid by Hay River MLA Jane Groenewegen earlier this year. A public inquiry into the complaint is expected to take place next month.
Bailey, who did not return calls to his office by press time, will lead a team of consultants and senior government staff in developing the economic strategies. The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and the office of the interim commissioner of Nunavut have also been asked to participate.
The new strategies will support ongoing efforts to stimulate the economy, put Northerners to work and improve social conditions, said Todd.
Draft strategies are expected to be finished by the fall and will form the basis for consultation with other governments, industry and aboriginal leaders.
Economic strategies are not new to the GNWT. One of the more recent strategies was the "Agenda for Change" released in 1996. It outlined four strategic planning areas, creating two new territories, enhancing community capacity through empowerment, healthy people-healthy families and Northern employment.
