Mr. Speaker, F.M.B. and Cabinet decided on a course of action to balance our budget by next year. Departments were given targets, both in O & M, with a call letter, and in capital, they were asked to work within an
envelope of a three year expenditure program so that they know what they had in year one, two and three. That has had a lot of influence on those things coming down the road that would be, let us say, surprising. We have maintained our capital spending and I am very pleased to say, Mr. Speaker, that I notice that in the areas of health and social services, and I credit the former Minister for this, the spending has ceased to escalate at the pace it was a year ago. I think that the message is still there to use the funds wisely, to be cognizant of those dollars. I have said to the deputy ministers before, spend them as if they were your own dollars.
The other thing is, I have been very pleased with the support that I have received from Cabinet Ministers. We adopted a discipline and said that we would accept forced growth, but beyond that no extra dollars would be spent. I must admit, Mr. Speaker, the support from the Members of Cabinet has been really exemplary and they have been responsible. There have been times when they have come forward for a very good reason for extra funds, but mainly Mr. Speaker, Cabinet has been very supportive of trying to balance our budget by next year.
If we continue the way we are going, if everybody continues to be reasonable, and if the transfers from Ottawa remain as they are at the present time, we still will be able to balance our budget next year, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.