Mr. Chairman, in response to Mr. Lewis, the concern was raised at the committee because, in the main estimates presented to the committee of the whole, you do not get see the individual tasks. The task summary for suicide prevention services showed a decrease in funding that we thought was quite significant this year over what was spent last year in both the main estimates and the revised forecast.
We felt that this was inappropriate, given the fact that suicides in the north tend to be on the rise, and not on the wane. We thought any excuse for cutting back on that area should have to be supported by statistics showing that suicide was on the decrease, and not on the increase.
Basically, the same is true in all areas where we have recommended that this be looked at. There has not, necessarily, been a direct examination of what the cost would be to achieve a satisfactory level. The concern, though, is that perhaps the priorities are not properly expressed in the budget, if areas as important as suicide prevention services are seeing their funds cut.
There may be other areas where it may be more appropriate to find the money from, in order to make sure that this important service is not cut.