Does the committee agree that Bill 21 is ready for third reading?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

What is the wish of the committee? Madam Government Leader.

The Member says we are ready for Bill 25.

Is it the wish of the committee that we deal with Bill 25?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Bill 25, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1991-92.General comments. Madam Government Leader. Bill 25, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1991-92

Minister's Opening Remarks

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Supplementary Appropriation, No. 3, requests authority for net additional appropriation of $6,296,500. This consists of appropriations for operation and maintenance in the amount of $21,165,500, mainly in Health, Justice and Education, and net reductions in capital appropriations in the amount of $14,869,000. This is mainly due to projects which were delayed this year and which will be carried forward into the 1992-93 capital estimates. The forced expenditures growth in Health, Justice and Education add to our budgetary problems. Although the 1991-92 supplementary funding reserves are exhausted, we have now no alternative but to meet these essential expenditures. The revised 1991-92 deficit estimate is approximately $49 million.

Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to go through the detail of the supplementary funding request and either answer questions or undertake to obtain answers from the responsible Minister.

Chairman of the standing committee on finance, Mr. Todd.

Comments From The Standing Committee On Finance

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The standing committee on finance reviewed the Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1991-92 at its meetings in Yellowknife on March 4th and March 9th, The committee was pleased that the Minister of Finance and his staff were available to answer the questions at that time. During our meeting on March 9th the committee agreed to recommend this bill to the House for consideration. However, the committee did have several concerns with this bill and, as has been our past practice, I will speak to the major issues. Members of the committee may have comments on the details of this bill while we go through it in committee of the whole.

Mr. Chairman, in total this bill represents a further appropriation of $6,296,500 for the current year. However, this figure is somewhat deceiving. In reality, the total supplementary appropriation of O and M is $21,165,500. This is offset, as the Government Leader said, by a reduction in the capital of $14,869,000. The reduction in the capital appropriation occurred primarily because of the expenditure management plan implemented by this government, which put a halt to virtually all capital construction.

As we noted during the last session, the committee remains concerned about the size of the supplementary appropriations that are coming forward. It is a serious issue. If this bill is passed, the total supplementary appropriations for the current fiscal year will be close to $90 million.

The committee recognizes that a large sum of the money is still under dispute as to where the federal government would look after the health services. The committee would like to give its full support to cabinet in their efforts to get a satisfactory resolution to this dispute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Are there any general comments? Is it the wish of the committee that we go into detail?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Legislative Assembly, Total O And M,

Agreed

Thank you. Page 5. Legislative Assembly, O and M, Legislative Assembly, special warrants, $250,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Thank you. Total department, $250,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Executive

Executive Council Secretarial, Total O And M, Agreed

Thank you. Executive, O and M, Executive Council Secretariat, special warrants, $300,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Not previously authorized, $134,500. Agreed?

Agreed.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Chairman, if I could just go back to the $300,000 and ask a question to the Minister. With respect to the 3.5 person years to develop recommendations and implement approved components of the Strength at Two Levels report, are those person years indeterminate person years?

Thank you. Madam Government Leader.

Mr. Chairman, they are term position years for 24 months.