Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Feb 11/02) - Qikiqtaaluk Corporation has granted the contract for construction management and architectural services for a new hospital for the region.

Qikiqtaaluk Corporation chief executive officer Harry Flaherty.

Chief executive officer Harry Flaherty said the construction company PCL and architectural firm Ferguson Simek Clark were awarded the $2.5-million contract Jan. 24.

"This group was selected to design the hospital project," said Flaherty.

Controversy surrounding the tender erupted when former president Abe Tagalik claimed he was fired because he did not award the contract to the Nunavut Construction Corporation.

To ensure the tender was fair and to avoid further criticism of the tendering process, Flaherty said an independent firm evaluated the shortlist and chose PCL and FSC.

As for the suspicions concerning NCC and the contract, Flaherty said Tagalik was fired for reasons not related to the hospital.

"All I can say is he wasn't fired based on this hospital project. It was for other issues outside the hospital project that led to his termination," said Flaherty.

He would not comment on those issues, saying the matter has been dealt with.

Flaherty said work on the design phase would begin immediately. "My priority now is to meet with the group and start working on a strategy," said Flaherty.