Mr. Chairman, I would suggest that we defer the Department of Personnel until the Minister can answer the questions that the Members are asking. Thank you.

Thank you. What is the committee's wish? Mr. Kakfwi.

Yes. Mr. Kakfwi, I understand this is not question period; however, we are agreeing on details and some Members would like to have some clarification. I do not think Mrs. Marie-Jewell has asked that It is designed for debate on that particular page; however, the Members have a right to ask particular questions on Personnel. What is the committee's wish? Does the committee wish to defer the Personnel operations and maintenance? Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Zoe, there is a motion on the floor, I believe, by Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Are you making the motion now, Mrs. Marie-Jewell?

Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I just suggested that until the Minister of Personnel can address the concerns of Members, that we consider deferring the Department of Personnel because it is my opinion that while we are doing these interim appropriations, if Members have questions to the appropriate Ministers in order for these budget Items to be passed, we can ask questions and the Minister should be able to advise us accordingly and address our concerns.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, I think you will have to make a motion to defer that particular section. Mr. Todd.

Would it not be prudent that we defer this part for the time being to give Mr. Kakfwi time to get a response to the question, proceed with the rest of the budget, and then come back to it and get it complete? Are we just going to sit here all afternoon and argue? This is getting ridiculous.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Chairman, on this section, I believe that particular question would be under employee benefits or one of the sections. My understanding is that section, whichever It is, for staffing, would be delayed, but can we proceed with the rest of the items except for that one that relates to staff housing, wherever that fits in generally?

Which particular Item are you talking about, the directorate? Ms. Cournoyea, was it not under general comments? There was no particular item involved with this one. Mr. Pollard.

Personnel,

Deferred

Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to stand the department down until we get an answer to that question in order that we can get on with the business this afternoon.

Is the committee agreed?

Agreed

---Agreed

Justice

Directorate, Total O and M, Agreed

Thank you. We will move on to Justice, O and M, not previously authorized, directorate, $615,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Police Services, Total O and M, Agreed

Thank you. Police services, $1,153,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Legal aid, $1,482,000. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to ask a question with respect to police services. I know this is the actual ongoing operations for police services, but can the Minister give us some indication of the forecast for the ongoing operations cost for providing police security for the dispute at Royal Oak Mines, and what are we going to be looking at in addition to this operational cost? Can he give us some indication?

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, our government has taken the strong position with the Government of Canada and the Solicitor General for Canada that this particular situation - the labour relations problem at Giant Mines being a matter of federal jurisdiction and responsibility - is a responsibility of the federal government, and It is the responsibility of the federal government to pay for the additional police services costs. Mr. Chairman, I would answer the Member's question by saying that it is our strong position, which has been made forcefully to the Government of Canada, that we are responsible for none of the extraordinary costs incurred by the policing reinforcements which have been provided in connection with this labour situation. Thank you.

Legal Aid, Total O and M, Agreed

Thank you. Legal aid, $1,482,000. Agreed?

June 22, 1992

---Agreed

Lawyer Support Services, Total O and M, Agreed