Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to present the comments from the Standing Committee on Finance on Bill 18.
The Standing Committee on Finance reviewed Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 1993-94, at its meeting on October 19, 1994. Mr. Chairman, in total, this bill represents an additional appropriation of almost $22.8 million for the 1993-94 fiscal year. If this bill is passed, the total voted appropriations for the fiscal year 1993-94 will be approximately $1.26 billion.
Committee Members decided that it was not necessary for the Minister to appear before the Finance committee to respond to questions about this supplementary appropriation act, therefore, Members will pose their questions in committee of the whole.
During our meeting on October 19th, the committee referred this bill to the House for consideration. Members recognized that most of the items in this appropriation request are needed to conclude the budget for the 1993-94 fiscal year. The largest single item, for slightly more than $13.8 million, is the government's revised estimate of the liability for employee ultimate removal benefits. The chairman of the Financial Management Board had previously informed committee Members that such adjustments are required to reflect more accurately the government's potential liability for paying ultimate removal benefits to their employees.
This bill also includes close to $5.4 million in additional appropriations to provide for the potential liability in the health billings dispute with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada. The total 1993-94 adjustment to this doubtful account allowance was $12 million.
Mr. Chairman, one item in this appropriation stands out, this is an additional appropriation for slightly more than $1.7 million for the loss and refinancing of the municipality of Iqaluit's debenture loan. The total 1993-94 adjustment was more than $1.8 million.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes the comments of the Standing Committee on Finance. Committee Members will have questions for the Minister when we proceed to the detail of the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.