(Microphone turned off)
Mr. Chairman, I apologize, I was trying to get through them quickly to allow Mr. Dent the opportunity to speak.
It also includes $1.4 million in forced growth expenditures arising from the department's capital program. As new money is not available to cover these expenditures, the department has had to re-examine its operations across the board for new ways of reducing program expenditures. The budget amounts to a reorganization of the way the department delivers its programs with the least disruption in transportation services. In the airports program, for instance, the duties and responsibilities of operational positions have been redistributed to make better use of the department's labour expenditures. In the highways program, the department aims to achieve economies by adjusting maintenance standards more in line with traffic demand.
Most of the forced growth expenditures are in the airports program. New airports have come on line in Lutsel K'e and Snare Lake. New or renovated air terminal buildings have opened in Igloolik, Pangnirtung, Paulatuk and Tuktoyaktuk. Runway extensions were completed at Coppermine and Pelly Bay and are now in operation. The Baker Lake training centre opened this year for the training of northern airport maintainers and managers. The budget allocated $255,000 for the centre's ongoing operation. Community wharves also require periodic maintenance expenditures. Maintenance work is planned in 1995-96 for the community wharves at Baker Lake, Arviat, Sanikiluaq, Gjoa Haven, Chesterfield Inlet and Broughton Island.
Even though the Department of Transportation plans to reduce its total spending in 1995-96 by $1 million, the budget does include $90,000 for one new spending initiative: the department will introduce a public awareness and road safety program this year. Working with the schools and the RCMP, the department aims to improve seat belt and child restraint usage and to reduce the incidence of impaired driving on our roads and highways. Traffic safety is too important to rely on law enforcement measures alone. A public education component is necessary if we want to travel our highways in safety. Even when we have to reduce our spending, improved motor vehicle safety remains a worthwhile expenditure.
In summary, Mr. Chairman, I am asking for the Assembly's support for the Department of Transportation's 1995-96 proposed O and M budget. I think this budget makes the best fit possible between our financial circumstances and our need to maintain efficient transportation services.