Is this all in one area?

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The renovations are as per the list that was provided, I believe, by the Minister to the standing committee on finance. We are in three floors of the hospital. The first floor is office space, electronics, and so forth; the second floor is primarily the day surgery area; and the third floor is business offices and medical day-care. So it affects all three floors of the hospital. Thank you.

Territorial Hospital Insurance Services, Total Capital, Agreed

Thank you. Total activity, $5,699,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Department Of Health, Total Capital, Agreed

Thank you. Program summary. Capital expenditures, total capital expenditures, $5,699,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Thank you. That concludes that department. If I could excuse the witnesses. That concludes the detail of Bill 14. I do want to indicate to the committee that normally we would go clause by clause with Bill 14. However, we are going to defer that until the amendments are received. I believe the standing committee on finance wants to conclude their report and recommendations of that particular report. Chairman of standing committee on finance, Mr. Todd.

To conclude the capital exercise we have three final resolutions we would like to bring to the House and approve this afternoon if we could, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Todd, do you have general comments to make prior to proceeding with the motions?

Closing Remarks From The Standing Committee On Finance

No, I think we have said our piece. The standing committee on finance appreciates the co-operation that was extended during the somewhat difficult times in the earlier part of the budget, particularly as it related to the Department of Education, which was an extremely sensitive and controversial issue at the time. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard, and his staff, Mr. Voytilla, were extremely cooperative. Changes were made in a spirit of compromise, and I am certainly encouraged by that. If we can continue in that light and recognize that capital and O and M budgets are a reflection of all of us, rather than a reflection of cabinet, then I am confident that in the future we will be able to proceed in a timely and orderly manner.

In general, we are a bit concerned, and I did speak to it yesterday, about where we are going overall; that we have got to use the budget -- and I have said it on a number of occasions -- as an economic instrument for Northerners, and I repeat, for all Northerners. We have got to give the public at large, particularly right now, renewed confidence in the North; renewed confidence from an investment and from a job point of view. I think that is the task ahead of us for all of us, whether it is cabinet or whether it is the standing committee on finance.

I think I can speak for the committee by saying once again we do appreciate the spirit of co-operation, even although on occasions it got a little heated. However, we did reach what we think is a reasonable compromise. It will hold us in good stead for the next round, which will be in June. We are encouraged by the fact that cabinet, and in particular Mr. Pollard and the Government Leader, are bringing forward the new capital budget in September for review and debate and approval in October. This will give all of us, and in particular the bureaucracy, more time to ensure that the budget as an economic instrument does benefit Northerners.

I think we are particularly encouraged by the Minister of Public Works in his long statement yesterday, but it was encouraging in the kinds of things he said. As I said to him then, and I will say to him now, action speaks louder than words, and he has certainly got my confidence that he can move forward in ensuring that Northerners do get the opportunity to build, to employ and to benefit from the moneys that we have.

So in closing, I would like to extend, on behalf of the standing committee on finance, our appreciation to the cabinet and to Mr. Voytilla, who is their right-hand man, for all their cooperation in getting this budget through. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Do you have specific motions that you want to proceed with at this time?

Thank you, Mr. Todd. The motion is in order; however, the motion is being distributed to Members. Mr. Todd, to the motion.

As I said, we were not aware at the time that the Government Leader was going to come forward with the comments she made today. We are encouraged them. This just reinforces, adds to and complements the policy decision by cabinet. It is straightforward. There is clearly a need to take a look at privatization of the Power Corporation. We need to get a handle on the ramifications of it. This is the intent of the motion, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you. To the motion.

Question.

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

--- Carried

Mr. Todd.

Motion For Fair Market Value Leases For Workers' Compensation Board Office Premises, Carried

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The second motion we have is on the Workers' Compensation Board. I move that the committee recommends that the Workers' Compensation Board ensures that the capital lease for office premises is

carried at no more than fair market value, and that action is taken to minimize the cost to employers while not disrupting local markets.

Thank you. The motion is in order and is being distributed. To the motion, Mr. Todd.

Mr. Chairman, there was some concern that there was some excess office space at the Workers' Compensation Board, We want to ensure that when they are looking at putting it on the market place that it does not create market, disruption.

Thank you. To the motion.

Question.