Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Department responsible for Government Services and Public Works has done a good job of setting objectives, following the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance and achieving a large 13 per cent budget reduction.
However, this is the third largest department of government with a budget of $125 million. The department does not directly serve the public. It reflects the cost of government.
Money saved in the running of government can be redirected into important high priority programs such as housing and education. The committee will continue to urge the department to improve programs and services aimed at cutting the cost of government. It is important to note that a modest one per cent cost reduction in this department's budget would free up $1.250 million.
In an effort to better control costs, the department should consider the following:
1. charging departments and agencies for all services rendered to them, for example, lease costs, purchasing services, et cetera, and holding them accountable for making reductions. This would be similar to the charge back system for computer services.
2. charging the full cost of petroleum products while offering subsidies to home owners and small business, similar to the system used by the NWT Power Corporation. This system would result in increased revenues from non-subsidized organizations.
Mr. Chairman, the committee has one recommendation which I would like to put forward in the form of a motion.