Request under Right to Information for Payments to Motion Design for Consulting Advice

January 5, 2010

Minister Roland Hache:

We are making a request under the Right To Information Act for information on payments made to Motion Design Assoc. for consulting advice provided to your Department on the issue of winter tires verses all season tires on the province's new fleet of Multi Function Activity Vehicles (MFAVs).

Specifically, we are interested in the costs associated with the report (attached) dated November 22, 2009, in which Mr. David Hoar, of Motion Design Assoc, gives his opinion on the issue.

According to a November 30, 2009 email (reproduced below) sent to Goodyear Tire by Gary Spencer of the Department of Transportation, the 21 passengers MFAV of this size of vehicle had not previously been utilized in your fleet and your standard school bus tire policy was applied - that is ribbed/steering tires on the steering axle and winter or traction tires on the drive axle. Mr. Spencer also confirms in his letter that the province retained the services of an independent automotive engineer to provide advice on this very important matter.

Attached you will find a certified cheque / money order in the amount of $5 to cover the costs of this request as well as a copy of Mr. Hoar's November 22, 2009 report.

If you have any other questions about this request, please feel free to contact us by phone at (506) 546-6370 Isabelle Hains or Marcella Kelly at (506) 548-4973.

Yours sincerely,

Isabelle Hains

Marcella Kelly

Ana Acevedo

cc. Premier Shawn Graham
cc. Minister Denis Landry
cc. Minister John Foran
cc. Charlotte Valley
Cc. Roger Duguay, Leader, New Brunswick New Democratic Party

Attachments: $5 money order and Report of Motion Design Assoc. Novemer 22, 2009

____ RESPONSE _____

Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 1:47 PM
Subject: RE: Payment to Motion Design Assoc.


On behalf of Minister Haché, I acknowledge receipt of your email. Please be assured that it will be brought to his attention and a response will be forthcoming.

Thank you for taking the time to write to the Minister.

Regards,

Rachelle Kieley

Executive Secretary / Secrétaire de direction
Hon. / l'hon. Roland Haché
Minister of Education / Ministre de l'Education
phone / télé: (506) 453-2523
fax / télécopieur: (506) 457-4960
email / courriel: Rachelle.Kieley@gnb.ca