Newbridge Academy Renovations - Question Period

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Dartmouth South.

SERV. N.S. & INT. SERV. - NEWBRIDGE ACADEMY: RENOS. - INVOLVE.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services.

At the end of September, we learned that the government would be spending $28.5 million to buy and renovate the former Newbridge Academy site in Dartmouth and turn it into a school for the le Conseil scolaire acadien provincial.

Part of the deal the government made with the Newbridge building owner, Donald MacDonald, was that his company, DORA Construction, would be given a $10 million contract to complete renovations on the building. Was the minister's department involved in the tender for the $10 million in renovations for Newbridge Academy?

HON. PATRICIA ARAB « » : That particular procurement was not a procurement, it was a real estate transaction, so it fell under Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : That particular procurement was not a procurement.

Mr. Speaker, we fully recognize the need to make investments to address increasing enrolment within the CSAP. However, we have concerns about the lack of transparency in decision making for this investment which was not included in the five-year school capital plan, which we have been pointed to over and over.

The government's Procurement website clearly states that for projects $100,000 and over for construction, departments must work with Procurement to conduct a competitive process. Can the minister explain how a $10 million untendered construction contract complies with the government's procurement policy?

HON. LLOYD HINES « » : Mr. Speaker, I couldn't be any prouder than the acquisition of that particular facility in the interests of the CSAP and the children of Nova Scotia. It illustrates the nimbleness of our government to be able to respond to opportunities that displace millions and millions of dollars' worth of future costs and gives a wonderful facility to the children of this province.

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.