Hogan Court Tender Change - QP
THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : In February the Auditor General's scathing report on the Hogan Court deal highlighted inappropriate procurement practices and wasteful government spending. In the wake of this we recently discovered an unannounced $120 million sole-source contract that was awarded to Shannex in June for this project, which we asked the government about and for which there was no rationale given. Since then, in the last couple of days this government has quietly changed that three-months-old tender notice on their website, from $120 million to $20 million. My question to the Premier is: Can the Premier explain this change? Why so much secrecy and confusion?
THE PREMIER « » : Of course, the Hogan Court initiative is a nation-leading initiative. It's a really important initiative on transition to community facilities. It will help provide health care spaces for Nova Scotians. It is a very positive thing, working with a very reputable partner who has been doing business in this province for a long time and doing good things on behalf of Nova Scotians. The information the member is talking about is on a public website. I hardly think that anything on a public website is trying to be secretive, Speaker.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : In March of this year, department representatives said that a finalized contract with Shannex would be ready "in a matter of weeks and not months." That was nearly six months ago and this government is moving forward clearly, publicly, without any contract in place, despite the specific directive not to commence work with private sector partners before contracts are in place. I wouldn't fix a deck, let alone build a house, without a signed contract. My question to the Premier is: Why is this government barrelling ahead with this kind of ill-advised and inappropriate spending?
THE PREMIER « » : Speaker, Hogan Court is a good initiative. It's good for Nova Scotians. I hardly think that the Nova Scotians who will be utilizing that facility will be disappointed. They will be pleased that they are getting access. On one hand, we have the members opposite saying, Go faster on health care, you're not going fast enough; on the other hand, we have them saying, Go slow. Speaker, we're going at the right pace for Nova Scotians. We will fix the health care system and make sure Nova Scotians can have access to care.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Let's talk about the speed that this secret spending is buying us. The concept of a transitional care facility is a good one. We know there are seniors waiting now in hospital beds that could be more appropriately cared for in this kind of facility but this government's bad dealings and refusal to listen to expert advice have plagued this project from the start.
Hogan Court was supposed to open in late 2023; now, at the end of 2024 - and if you've driven by lately that still seems ambitious. The purchase, sale, and financing of this hotel have been bad deals and are still largely secret. I've asked the Premier before but I'll give him the opportunity again: Does he still think that the purchase of this facility was good value for Nova Scotians?
THE PREMIER « » : Absolutely, Speaker. This is a wonderful thing for Nova Scotians. In December there will be 68 beds open there and starting next year, again, 110. Absolutely this is a good think for Nova Scotians.