Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In line with what was just discussed when we were talking about this last motion, at the standing committee on finance we had some concern about municipal surpluses and the ability of hamlets to redirect them. We recognize that there is a very important principle here that you have to respect, and that is that if one hamlet is extremely efficient with managing its money, you do not want to penalize it for having been a good fiscal manager, if you would. But we were concerned that there also has to be the recognition that the funds that hamlets and communities are winding up with, for the most part are paid for by the territorial government in the first place.

We did not feel we should come forward with are commendation saying that all surpluses should be returned to the government, but we do feel that there is room to re-examine the policy as it sits right now and see if it makes sense. We were not confident that it was totally adequate for right now.

Motion To Re-evaluate Policy Allowing Municipalities To Retain And Redirect Surpluses, Carried

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I would like to move that the committee recommends that the current policy allowing municipalities to retain and redirect surpluses be re-evaluated in light of the current territorial deficit.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There was some concern at the standing committee on finance about this. It was not one where there was a feeling that this was necessarily a major problem right now, but we did feel that it was time the government re-examine the policy. Perhaps there may be some other incentive where we could provide for municipalities to be better fiscally managed and that might help to save the government some money in the long run.

We were not prepared to come forward with a specific recommendation on what that might be, but we would hope the department would keep this motion in mind and re examine the policy as it is right now and just ensure that they are satisfied with how it is working and if not, recommend some changes to us; and if they are satisfied, then they should be prepared to justify the policy to the Members of this House.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was pleased earlier to hear the Minister say that the department is listening to the standing committee on finance when we recommend that the department look at new ways of building things, making projects smaller, more simple, and ensuring standards for construction are reasonable. Only by doing our best to ensure as many projects as possible are set up so local people can work on them will we achieve an important economic goal. Value for money spent does not always mean the most square feet at the cheapest cost, or a fancy building in the end. Sometimes value for money has to include the contribution to the local economy, or as Mr. Todd and his famous friend, Brian Mulroney, are noted for saying, "Jobs, jobs, jobs."

Mr. Chairman, maybe we have to consider in some cases even a system where the whole job may not be tendered but employment initiatives are put in place instead.

Motion To Ensure Maximization Of Value And Local Labour, Carried

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs work with local authorities and the Department of Public Works to achieve value for money spent; and further, that the department consider new ways to build capital projects that will ensure maximization of local labour and control and support of local general contractors.

Mr. Chairman, earlier this afternoon Members have been referring to the department to be more flexible in terms of capital projects. For those reasons I want to move this particular motion.

Motion To Give Option Of Not Using DPW For Capital Project Management, Carried

I move that the committee recommends that all government departments and agencies be given the flexibility to use other options than the Department of Public Works for capital project management.