Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present the proposed 1993-94 O and M budget for the Department of Safety and Public Services. For 1993-94, the department is requesting $6.412 million compared to last year's budget of $6.354 million, for a net increase of $58,000. This increase of $58,000 is the result of an additional $91,000 to meet the UNW negotiated salary increase and a $33,000 reduction to support the GNWT program reduction initiative. The department is projecting revenues of $17.864 million, an increase of $734,000.
I am pleased to inform you that the department is making progress in its affirmative action program. At present, 18 per cent of our staff are native northerners and an additional 18 per cent are indigenous non-native. The department is taking steps to further improve its record in this area. For example, it has obtained training positions from the Department of Education for a labour standards inspectors and a safety officer in an effort to place aboriginal northerners in inspector positions.
The department has developed objectives for 1993-94 to enable the department to meet its goals, and to assist the government to meet its overall objective of fiscal restraint. To that end, the directorate intends to implement a reorganization of the division within the department to maximize operational efficiencies, reduce costs and develop a long range plan to ensure optimum use of resources.
Over the past three years the department has developed a strong and effective management for results system which allows us to evaluate and monitor the department's expenditures in relationship to its goals and objectives.
Mr. Chairman, the investigation of accidents and fatalities to determine causes and make recommendations to reduce such accidents will continue to be a high priority in the department, along with the monitoring of work places to ensure that work practices are safe. The department will continue to ensure that the safety and health of the public is protected by the effective enforcement and administration of acts and regulations pertaining to fire, safety, gas, boiler and pressure vessels safety and electrical and elevator safety.
Mr. Chairman, I will be pleased to answer any questions the Members of the committee may have.