SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The territorial government's sole-sourcing policies came under fire again this week, with one MLA calling the premier's response to specific questions on contracts "disrespectful."

For months Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley has been critical of two contracts awarded to former cabinet ministers for consulting work - to John Todd, a former finance minister, and Brendan Bell, former minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Conservative candidate in the 2008 federal election.

In response to a question Bromley asked Feb. 2 about the details of the work Todd completed during 32 days of consulting work in 2008, Roland wrote, "contractors were hired to provide advice regarding GNWT intergovernmental relations at the political level." It said relations with the federal government were a prime concern. Roland wrote "the contractor's efforts during their work period is evidenced by the good working relationships ministers and their staff have with federal ministers offices and their staff."

On Tuesday, Bromley told the legislative assembly the answer wasn't good enough.

"The premier has disrespectfully refused to answer the precise questions asked," he said.

He said he asked for specific documentation about Todd's work and how it was measured.

"Will the premier prove (cabinet) obeyed the law and produce the documents that were verified to approve payment, or was this actually a one-time $48,000 schmooze fee?" he asked.

Roland defending his response, saying, "contracts were in place; meetings did occur, and a number of them ... I don't know if there's anything I can do that will satisfy him short of having him sit beside me in meetings and take the notes for me."

Bromley asked the premier how he is "going to review and tighten up" the sole-sourcing process. Roland said the Department of Finance is reviewing policies and said the nature of the work, timing and people's abilities come into play when deciding what type of contract to use.

"At times the best expertise is the ones who have experience in how we deliver programs and services," he said. "Even though people who have worked for the GNWT in the past, they still need to earn a living if they are to remain in the NWT. So whether it's with our government or an aboriginal government, we should recognize that."

Dave Ramsay, MLA for Kam Lake, said he wants the territorial government to consider more options, and stop handing out jobs to former bureaucrats on a "silver platter."

"Is there not something wrong with a deputy minister who is relieved of their duties and months later handed a sole-sourced contract by the very government that let them go?" he asked in the legislative assembly on Monday. "Who are they hired by? Oh, that's right, other deputy ministers. Isn't that convenient?"

Premier Floyd Roland said every department has ways of deciding whether to sole-source a contract or go through a tender process, adding it went through the appropriate minister when necessary. He said there was a "cooling off period" between the time deputy ministers and senior staff stop working for the GNWT and when they can be sole-sourced, but he could not specify how long.