NNSL (Apr 03/98) - Finance Minister John Todd has laid bare what his government's public private partnership is all about.

At the NWT Construction Association's annual general meeting Tuesday a number of projects were outlined that require partnerships between the government and industry.

"I feel very strongly that the smooth and successful implementation of public-private partnerships depends upon industry and the government working cooperatively," said Todd.

Projects include an energy-conversion plan for public housing units, a retrofit to Weledeh Catholic school, water-supply improvements in Fort McPherson, a young-offenders facility in an undetermined location and health-care facilities in Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet and Arviat.

Todd also announced a number of road construction projects across the NWT, including an upgrade of the road to Rae, that will begin with a $2-million contribution for pre-engineering surveys from the GNWT.

The $2-million investment will provide the blueprint for the new roads, potentially leading to a construction of $300 million to $500 million in new road infrastructure, said Todd.

The government is seeking partnerships with businesses with a strong commitment to the North to invest in road construction.

The so-called P3 initiative, announced during Todd's recent budget, was met with some skepticism by ordinary members of the legislative assembly.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Jake Ootes was one of the more vocal politicians with had concerns over transparency and accountability on the issue.

On March 3 in a move to ensure transparency, Ootes made a motion, which passed, recommending a number of points for the P3 to follow. They included a mechanism for public input into the initiative, a requirement that projects meet priority infrastructure needs of communities and the establishment of a public advisory board for P3 decisions and processes.

On Monday, Todd tried to alleviate concerns and made a commitment that all contracts will be awarded through a public tendering process.

He spoke of a P3 management team to prepare proposals, cost analyses and evaluations and said all contracts will require approval from the GNWT Financial Management Board.

For each of the hospital projects, regional development corporations will have to publicly tender all related work.

"The workshop will be structured in a way that will allow you to provide further input and advice to the GNWT and seek answers to any questions you might have."

On Tuesday, Todd asked people in attendance at the association meeting if anyone had questions about P3. No one responded.

For those who still have some questions, however, a P3 workshop will be held on April 8 for representatives with the construction association, NWT Chamber of Commerce, the Aboriginal Summit and the NWT Association of Municipalities.