Yes, Mr. Chairman, we can table those contributions, or grants, to the regions or else I can read them out.

In terms of regional director's travel, there is no reason why regional directors cannot travel. They have a budget to travel and I do not believe that a regional director is not travelling because of a lack of travel budget. I believe that it is very important, whether it is a regional director or Cabinet Ministers, to understand the broad territorial responsibility, or regional responsibility, we have. We have to get out there, and we are going to make that one of our main thrusts this year, we do have time to do that between the two sessions. Thank you.

The other comment I wanted to make is that those grants and contributions are to be granted to the regional council and the Minister indicated she would provide a breakdown. There has been an increase from previous budgets forecasted from $931,000 to $971,000, which is looking at about a $40,000 increase. What I would like to see is, has this government made any decision with regard to regional councils? There has been some support and they give them money, but they have never really come out with a statement fully supporting regional councils. There are some concerns with respect to the way regional councils operate. Can the Government Leader indicate what the position of the Executive is with regard to regional councils? Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, it is true that different regions have different perspectives on the importance of a regional council. Some regions tend to heavily support a regional council, such as the Kitikmeot. Other regions, say the Inuvik region, prefer to have a leadership meeting once or twice a year but not actually form a regional council. There are varying degrees of support or non-support for regional councils and, I guess, we generally bow to the intensity of support or value that different regions put on an actual regional council.

Is it clear that the level of support determines whether the political players are supportive of the concept of the regional council in the regions?

Mr. Chairman, some of it is historical, for example, Baffin was a most heavily funded regional council because it had an historical base that began a long time ago. When we did our re-evaluation of what they were getting, Baffin lost more than anyone else because, proportionally, it was getting quite significant -- that was last year. If you do not have an executive council to support a regional council then the requirements are generally for hotels, travel and maybe some support in terms of translation services. The requirement is not as much. The Inuvik region, and perhaps another region, if we are not supporting it in terms of ongoing executive person year support then their requirement is not as heavy.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am sure that the Government Leader knows the Baffin Regional Council has been in a state of financial limbo for some time. I understand from earlier questions asked in this session that an audit was done of the BRC books and that last week, I believe, it was expected to be concluded. My question is, can the Government Leader give us the results of that audit? What I am interested in is, will the regional council be able to operate? I have talked to a number of mayors and MLAs in the region who are anxious to get together and discuss issues that are now looming with the imminent settlement of the claim and the development of Nunavut. The regional leadership has not been able to meet for a couple of years, as far as I can remember. It is critical the financial problems which have plagued the BRC be resolved one way or the other. I am wondering if the Government Leader can tell us, are the audit results in and will they lead to the BRC restoring its financial stability? Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, the audit report was delivered to the BRC on Monday. At this time we are waiting for their response to the audit report.

Mr. Chairman, I take it the BRC is being invited to comment on the audit report. Is it foreseen that MLAs from the region or, perhaps, other interested MLAs can learn of the results of this review once the BRC has had a chance to make comment? Are these kind of reports ordinarily made available to interested parties such as MLAs? Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I believe it is normal management practice that courtesy is given to the organization to have a chance to review the audit and comment on it, and then perhaps even take their own action, or provide direction as they see fit. However, it is not a normal requirement that it be released to the general public. I see no reason why, once they have had a chance to comment and review the report, it could not be made available to MLAs who have a direct interest in it and particularly the Baffin MLAs.

Mr. Chairman, I take it this budget includes the regular core funding, although I know it has been reduced, for the Baffin Regional Council.

Mr. Chairman, that is correct. As well, I wanted to say again that the report would probably be available to the Baffin MLAs, it is my understanding that the MLAs are voting Members of the Baffin Regional Council.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Priorities And Planning Secretariat