Yellowknife, N.W.T. - Speaking this week in the Legislative Assembly, Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley came out in favor of the negotiated contract with Deton Cho Corporation for the Giant Mine Bypass Road Project. 

The GNWT's decision to give the company the right to negotiate the contract has been controversial because some say the territory already has a variety of competitive companies who could do the job.

Bromley said the negotiated contract policy is appropriate with groups that have been disadvantaged in their economic development.

"[In] this particular case with the Yellowknife Dene First Nation that is certainly true. These people did not have the benefits of education and the dollars that come with settling of land claims and land. So they need that recognition and the policy was developed to do that explicitly," he said.

Transportation Minister Dave Ramsay said the project will benefit the Yellowknives Dene and Deton Cho tremendously.

"It will give their members more opportunities for employment, for education, for training their own people and advancing their capacity," said Ramsay.

Ramsay added that the negotiations on the contract will be concluded shortly. 

CJCD Mix 100 News