Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think most of what I want to say has been reported in the Standing Committee on Finance report but those comments I want to make tie in with the scope and general direction that Standing Committee on Finance Members made. I was very concerned again, in terms of the Executive of the new structure. There are three separate and three distinct programs, each under the authority of the separate Minister and each with a deputy minister or equivalent. There is a very heavy centralization of central agency powers within this new super department, and obviously the powers of certain deputy ministers have been enhanced considerably.

The concern is, I wonder how, in terms of coordination within these three distinct program areas, coordination, decisions and programs are processed within such a structure with three fairly distinct organizations. The move to consolidate and amalgamate administration and central agency functions was probably made with good intentions and to probably facilitate smoother process and smoother implementation of government initiatives. I am a bit sceptical that this would be able to work, given the structure as we know it today. We also know that the changes are still happening and that the various sections within each of these program areas are still working out what they are doing or what they are supposed to do and who they are supposed to do it to or with.

I just wanted to raise those comments. As I mentioned, they have been raised in more detail than I have mentioned, and I didn't want to reiterate too much of what was said in SCOF, but it is a major change in how government is doing business and I think it warrants some discussion. This is why I raised it. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Executive offices have two activities and they have objectives. The first activity has two objectives and the second one has three definitive objectives. As per the recommendation that we made yesterday, we have asked the departments to develop a prioritized list of planned initiatives with description of the type and availability of resources that were required and a realistic time frame that is required for implementation. I would like to ask the Government Leader if she has that for us, the definitive objectives for the Executive offices.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we have a letter out right now to the departments asking them to do what Mr. Antoine has asked and that is priorize their initiatives, and ascertain if they are in the budget or outside the budget. If they are in the budget, which task or activity do they fall under? Also the definitive objectives. That issue is being asked of the departments right now to respond, and that will be ready on Tuesday morning, Mr. Chairman. In the interim, Ministers will respond individually to these particular priorities until we get a consolidated document, if that would be okay with the committee. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Before we get into the budget, may I have the indulgence of the Assembly to bring in my witnesses, as there are questions being asked now?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to introduce Mr. Pierre Alvarez, the deputy minister of the Executive, and Terryl Allen, the director of finance and administration.

Terryl Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask the Government Leader a question on the definitive objectives, whether she has a prioritized list of the planned initiatives and description of the type and availability of resources that will be required and a realistic time frame for the implementation of these definitive objectives. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, up to this date, what we have been able to do, since the letter has only come recently, is to work on the definitive objectives for 1993 and 1994. I suppose that we could answer specific questions on those definitive objectives at this time. They will be provided to you once we have completed the breakdown. The definitive objectives for 1993-94 are available and have also been translated.

Mr. Chairman, this is in regard to the programs and services manual and the departmental overview, as recent as February 16, 1994. Has the departmental overview changed since it started? Has this booklet changed at all? I have stuff with regard to grants and contributions to aboriginal people, the Science Institute, Intergovernmental Affairs in Ottawa, the Commissioner's office, are all those still part of your department?

Mr. Chairman, I believe that the Member is reading from an old script. I don't know why he wouldn't have a new one, but if you want that provided, we can get that.

Mr. Chairman, just with regard to this, one of the functions of the Government Leader's office is with regard to the Commissioner's office. The Commissioner's term is going to be up. Has the department done an evaluation on what is going to happen with that once the term is up?

Mr. Chairman, the committee has looked at the Commissioner's office and it has been struck. There has been some work that has been sent to the committee. The report is to be made on Wednesday. Thank you.