Thank you. Does the committee agree that we deal with Bill 14, Supplementary Appropriation, Act No. 3, 1992-93? Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Mr. Minister, introductory remarks.

Introductory Remarks

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In case you missed it the first time, Mr. Chairman, Supplementary Appropriation, No. 3, requests authority for net additional appropriations of $10.277 million. The supplementary appropriation consists of additional appropriations in the amount of $9.025 million in operations and maintenance, and additional capital appropriations in the amount of $1.252 million. The appropriations include the initial requirements for decentralization initiatives that are currently under way. The appropriations are within the estimated supplementary requirements for the year as shown in the summary of projected revenues and expenditures. Mr. Chairman, as I said before, I am prepared to review the details of the supplementary funding request and either answer Members' questions or refer them to the Minister responsible. I apologize for the initial confusion, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Mr. Antoine, from the Standing Committee on Finance.

Standing Committee On Finance Comments

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Finance reviewed Bill 14, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93, during its meetings on December 2 and 7, 1992. The committee was pleased that the Minister of Finance and his officials were able to meet with us to answer some of our questions. Mr. Chairman, a large portion of this supplementary appropriation pertains to the decentralization initiative announced by the Government Leader during the June session of this House.

Several Members of the committee have expressed concerns about the entire decentralization initiative. In particular, they are concerned that there has not been an adequate review of the initiative by this Assembly. As a result, the Members of the committee may have additional comments concerning funding for the decentralization initiative as they arise. In addition, Mr. Chairman, several Members of the committee have concerns about the process used to provide funding for salary increases for community based alcohol and drug programs.

As the Members are aware, increases in salaries for these workers were first recommended by the Standing Committee on Finance during its review of the 1992-93 Main Estimates. The Members of the committee are concerned that this funding may be insufficient to adequately compensate these essential workers. The Members of the committee would have preferred a more thorough review of these increases prior to the introduction of this supplementary appropriation.

Mr. Chairman, due to the limited time the committee had to review this bill, several specific concerns remain outstanding. Members of the committee may have questions on the specifics of the bill during the line by line review of this bill today.

Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee agreed at its meeting on December 7, 1992, to refer this bill to the Committee of the Whole for discussion. Mahsi.

Thank you. Are there any general comments? Thank you, Mr. Zoe, general comments.

General Comments

Thank you. Are there any general comments? Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With regard to this particular bill, I fully support of the intention of the government to decentralize. I find that the substantiation is justified. I am not stating that just because half of the Arctic College headquarters is going to Fort Smith. I know that the whole Arctic College headquarters once belonged in Fort Smith. It is actually going back where it rightfully belongs. I believe that the decentralization concept is something that this government has to look at because many communities can do these program deliveries effectively without hindering the program. They can be delivered out of other communities just as effectively as they can out of Yellowknife. I recognize the effects it would have on the city of Yellowknife. However, most of these positions are not totally filled. Some of them are vacant positions. It also gives the ones who do have to move, an opportunity to deliver their programs in another area. I recognize that a lot of the funding in this supp is for implementation. I do not believe that we can really sit around and talk about their plan and implementation funding or the reason for it. I believe it is a political decision that the Cabinet made, and as a Member, I fully support their initiative. In order to carry out the initiative, they need the funds. I fully support the supp. Thank you.

Thank you. Are there any other general comments? What is the wish of the committee? Shall we go into detail? Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Bill 14, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93. Does the committee agree that we go into detail? Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Legislative Assembly

Thank you. We begin on page six. Legislative Assembly, operations and maintenance, not previously authorized, $966,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Total department, $966,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Department Of Executive

Thank you. Executive, operations and maintenance, Ministers' offices, not previously authorized, $57,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Intergovernmental And Aboriginal Affairs

Thank you. Ministry of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, not previously authorized $172,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Total department, not previously authorized $229,000. Agreed?