Adam Johnson
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 10, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - It's not the project; it's the timing.

That's what has some MLAs up in arms after learning the government signed a major agreement on the Deh Cho Bridge Sept. 28, just three days before the territorial election.

Two MLAs grilled Premier Floyd Roland in the legislative assembly two weeks ago for failing to speak about the signing during a previous round of questioning, and about the timing of the move.

"This is the largest capital project ever undertaken by the Government of the Northwest Territories," said Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen of the now-$165 million project.

"We need public accountability and public transparency on this."

The agreement - which was announced to non-cabinet members before session began Tuesday - lays out the responsibilities the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation holds for development, design, construction, operation and maintenance of a future bridge across the Mackenzie River.

Groenewegen questioned Roland several times during the Nov. 27 sitting on why he had not mentioned the signing when questioned about the Deh Cho Bridge in October.

"I apologize if I wasn't sincere enough or clear enough," said Roland.

Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay took the matter further, asking the government if it would hold a public inquiry on the bridge project and the Sept. 28 signing.

"I feel very strongly that we need to learn a lesson here," he said.

"This is not how government should operate."

In this case, Roland said he would not dig into the decisions of the past government, even though he was finance minister at the time - a portfolio he continues to hold.

"What would that accomplish for us?" he said. "I would instead say, as premier of the 16th assembly, I would undertake a review of the processes and the outstanding issues around that project."

While Ramsay said he is in favour of the project, he is troubled by the way decisions have been made.

"I support a bridge across the Mackenzie, as do my constituents," he said.

"But the process was flawed."

Ramsay said traditionally the government is on "cruise control" during an election, and no new business is done.

"This was the last government trying to force the hand of this government."

Groenewegen said the agreement signed with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation was an important omission from answers given by Roland in the legislative assembly Oct. 19, as it could increase the government's liability for the bridge project.

At present the government is on the hook for $9 million to the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation.

"If the bridge project goes sideways, the government has to step up to provide that money," she said.

While he made a call for a public inquiry, Ramsay said he is not confident one will come to pass on the bridge project.

"There are guys here (in cabinet) who were part of the last government," Ramsay said.

"They sure don't want a public inquiry."

Former premier Joe Handley announced in August the bridge would be going forward, despite rising construction costs and a lack of federal funding that pushed the bridge's price up by tens of millions of dollars.