How many extra PYs are going to be needed to run this building? Have we any idea of what it is going to cost; how many additional library staff; or is it existing staff; or is it new positions? I would like to know that; building and maintenance staff, library staff, support staff.

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, there is a study being undertaken right now to see what the needs would be with regard to staff. There will be some staff taken over obviously from other departments, particularly in the area of library, as that moves over to the Legislative Assembly. Obviously in the kitchen and cafeteria area that would not be classed as Legislative Assembly staff. I would say that the study is going to reveal that there will be a slight increase in staff to operate that building. I am not sure if the study is taking into consideration executive assistants for Members. I would rather doubt that it is, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Your motion is in order and is being distributed now. To the motion. Mr. Dent. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried.

--- Carried

Thank you. Legislative Assembly, buildings and works, total region, $3,163,000. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Minister,

I will ask Mr. Hamilton to answer that question.

There are present plans for television in the building is that it is planned to construct the building whereby the chamber would be wired for coverage by television, as well as the major committee room for public meetings of standing committees. The plan also is to purchase the equipment to cover the cameras and all the switching equipment necessary to provide television coverage of the Legislature.

Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, in a building such as this and providing that type of television coverage, there is a lot of hard wiring and circuits that have to go into the building. It was decided that putting our own equipment into the building would mean it would be stationary, it would not have to be carted in and carted out all the time. I think it was worked out that over the long haul it would also be much cheaper. So I think a decision was made to putting our own equipment in and having it hard wired and being available at all times.

Mr. Zoe.

The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Todd.

I think it is important to point out that no financial decision has been made, because nothing has been presented to this House in terms of what the long-term financial obligations are with respect to televising the Legislative Assembly. And while it may be fashionable and some people see it as a plus and there are some pluses for it, we still have not, at this time, determined whether or not we are going to commit the financial obligations of televising the Legislative Assembly.

To the motion. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to comment for the information of the committee that I understand that a briefing has been arranged for caucus this week from TVNC on this new public television broadcasting capacity that is in place and how the requirements of the Legislative Assembly and Members for communicating with their constituents might be dealt with by that new network.

Question is being called. All those in favour? Opposed, if any? The motion is carried.

--- Carried

Mr. Todd.

As was stated earlier, there was a concern with respect to the total financial expenditure for this building.

Motion To Inform Finance Committee Of Projects And Programs Relating To The Legislative Assembly, Carried

Therefore, I move that this committee recommends that cabinet inform the standing committee on finance and the Legislative Assembly of all the financial and other significant implications of the projects and programs as it relates to the Legislative Assembly.

What is the total expenditure?