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Joyce questions why Corner Brook long-term care contracts being awarded to Quebec companies May 29, 2007 Eddie Joyce, Opposition Transportation and Works Critic and MHA for the District of Bay of Islands, is questioning why a Quebec company that received a $57 million government contract to build a long-term care facility in Corner Brook is now awarding a significant portion of the sub-contracts to companies in Quebec. "When government awarded this $57 million contract to a Quebec company, the Minister of Transportation and Works stated that the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) had to be followed and companies from other provinces would have to be considered," said Mr. Joyce. "Ironically, government found loopholes to avoid this agreement when awarding the fibre-optic deal and the construction of new ferries for the provincial fleet, yet could not exclude a $57 million contract for Corner Brook that would have provided much-needed work to tradespeople and companies in our region. Now we are hearing more concerns about sub-contracts related to this project also being awarded outside the province. "Over the past few weeks, local contractors have contacted our office complaining that they are not receiving any of the sub-contracts for the construction of this long-term care facility, and most of the work is going to Quebec companies. Even though there are a number of local companies capable of doing much of this work, all of the steel and mechanical sub-contracts are being awarded outside the province. "We have also been advised that a Newfoundland and Labrador based company has filed a lawsuit against the Quebec company that was awarded this $57 million government contract. This local company claims an agreement on sub-contracting work was breached and instead awarded to a Quebec company. There are many people in this province who are looking for employment opportunities here at home, yet are seeing these contracts awarded to Quebec firms. "Last week we learned of a Quebec call centre that received a government contract to book sites for our provincial park system. Now, we hear from contractors in this province who say they are not being considered for goods and services for the long-term care facility in Corner Brook. This is certainly unacceptable and I am disappointed that Premier Williams, the local MHA, is not standing with the local companies in an attempt to secure jobs for this province."
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