Auditor general asked to investigate Deh Cho Bridge partnership
New Brunswick contractor becomes a shareholder in bridge project
Last Updated: Monday, February 11, 2008 | 3:20 PM CT
CBC News
Related
Internal Links
A Northwest Territories MLA has asked federal Auditor General Sheila Fraser to look into how a New Brunswick contractor for a bridge over the Mackenzie River has become one of the project's shareholders.
Atcon Construction Inc. of Miramichi, N.B., contributed $2 million to the Deh Cho Bridge Corp.'s project at the end of January, in order to prevent the project from collapsing, Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen said Friday.
"Even after seven years, the proponents' real equity is very limited and the shareholder that they've attracted to join with them is none other than the general contractor for the bridge," Groenewegen said in the legislative assembly.
"To the auditor general, I respectfully request you examine all documents, Hansard, transcripts, briefings and other materials related to this project. As a member of the legislative assembly, I have a duty to the public interest to ensure that the business dealings of our government are transparent, accountable and lawful."
The kilometre-long Deh Cho bridge is intended to provide a year-round link between the territory's North Slave region and road systems in southern Canada. It would replace the winter ice road and summer ferry service currently in place on the river.
Atcon was awarded a $134 million contract in August to build the bridge, after an unnamed Alberta company pulled out of the project for unknown reasons.
Atcon's shareholder partnership was revealed in a concession agreement signed by the territorial government and the bridge corporation. The agreement was signed Jan. 31, but it was only released to Groenewegen and other MLAs who aren't in cabinet on Thursday night.
As a shareholder in the bridge, Atcon is expected to share whatever money the completed bridge earns with the community of Fort Providence, N.W.T., where the bridge will be based. The bridge corporation plans to charge tolls on commercial vehicles.
However, it is not clear if Atcon would also take responsibility for any debt the bridge corporation may incur from building or operating the bridge.
Share Tools
Latest North News Headlines
- Yukoners need to change poverty perceptions, says report
- A new report on poverty in Yukon is calling for action from the territorial government. However, poverty activists are also calling for Yukoners to adjust their attitudes. more »
- N.W.T. budget calls for $74M surplus
- The N.W.T. is forecasting its first surplus in five years in its 2012-2013 budget, Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger announced in the legislative assembly this afternoon. more »
- N.W.T. commissioner's goals for the territory
- The N.W.T.'s budget comes down this afternoon, and even though the finance minister has said it will be a frugal year, there are plenty of projects all over the territory which need money. more »
- Iqaluit man pleads guilty to drug and sex offences
- A sentencing hearing is underway today in Iqaluit for the man who once ran the so-called 'Qikiqtaaluk Compassion Society' where he sold marijuana. more »
Top News Headlines
- Reclaiming the dead on Mt. Everest
- The difficulty, danger and expense of removing the bodies of climbers who died in Mount Everest's "death zone" mean most of the dead remain on the mountain as a stark reminder to other climbers of the risks. more »
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Raw stories about bullying emerged when a video booth was set up inside a Quebec high school. more »
- Neil Macdonald: How compromise became a dirty word in Washington
- As brinkmanship becomes the norm in this U.S. election year, some policy analysts, and even some long-serving Republicans, are calling out today's GOP for practising 'the new politics of extremism.' more »
- Conservatives move again to have robocalls suits tossed
- The Conservative Party has filed a second motion to dismiss the robocalls lawsuits filed by the left-leaning Council of Canadians, calling council chairperson Maude Barlow a "virulent critic" of Prime Minister Stephen Harper who has "orchestrated" the litigation. more »
- Investigation finds 3 electoral violations in N.W.T. riding
- Whitehorse man appeals drunk driving conviction
- Yukoners need to change poverty perceptions, says report
- N.W.T. budget calls for $74M surplus
- Iqaluit man pleads guilty to drug and sex offences
- N.W.T. commissioner's goals for the territory
- Winning lottery ticket sold in Whitehorse
- Memorial service held Saturday for Ice Pilots' Arnie Schreder
- Hockey the only ice sport in 2016 Arctic Winter Games
