The Standing Committee on Finance recommended that the Department of Public Works and Services develop the office accommodation plan to most effectively and efficiently house the headquarters personnel. Further, the committee recommended that the cost-benefit analysis which accompanied the plan should be based on

consideration of savings that could be achieved in the current commercial real estate market.

Mr. Chairman, the committee recommended further that this plan, along with the cost-benefit assessment, should be made available to the Standing Committee on Finance prior to the review of the department's budget in committee of the whole. Since this plan was not available when the Standing Committee on Finance reviewed the department's budget, this item was deferred.

The Standing Committee on Finance has since received the requested plan and some cost-benefit analyses. Committee Members are satisfied that this office accommodation plan for Yellowknife will house headquarters personnel efficiently and effectively. Committee Members understand that this plan must be approved by the Financial Management Board. Further, it is recognized that the implementation of the plan will require more funding than is currently contained in the budget for this purpose.

Committee Members anticipate that the Financial Management Board will approve the office accommodation plan for Yellowknife. However, if the Financial Management Board doesn't see fit to approve the plan, the Standing Committee on Finance will expect a briefing from the Minister which outlines the rationale for the decision.

The Finance committee is now prepared to recommend approval of this budget item and the 1994-95 appropriation for the Department of Public Works and Services. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.