Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the Minister for that information. I think he's confirmed that I wasn't confused but, in fact, if the old formula was used it would have cost this government $2 million more. So there has been a $2 million cut to the school boards in what they are going to receive this year. As I understand, that's what he did confirm to me. We've taken away $2 million and added $1 million and I see that quite clearly.
One other comment I would like to make, Mr. Chairman, has to do with the draft document on improving children and youth services in our communities. Since the pilot project shows up under the definitive objectives as part of educational development, I assume this is the proper place to speak about it. I would like to thank the Minister for getting me a copy while we were in session this afternoon. I've read it. I recognize that it is just a draft but I would like to let the Minister know that I am somewhat concerned that it seems to me that this guideline misses the point in a large respect. I recognize that the Minister has said that his department doesn't want to be seen as imposing a program from the centre; they want it to be drafted with input from all of the districts. Unfortunately, I think that what has happened is that perhaps because the districts weren't exposed to the ideas, they've missed the point. What this looks like is a somewhat improved version of an interagency model which is not at all the sort of thing that I think the Standing Committee on Finance had hoped we would see a pilot project for.
This draft does not very clearly state, as a matter of fact it doesn't state at all, that the point of entry for people into our social network should be the schools or that that should be even one idea that a school district or community should consider. I don't know. We seem to have gone on and on about this over the last 18 months since the standing committee brought the idea forward. It doesn't seem to have much support, and with the end of this Assembly coming soon, I don't think it's likely that we will see a pilot project in this coming fiscal year which will, in fact, reflect the focus that we had hoped to see; that, by bringing the point of entry into the school, you force the agencies to cooperate. Rather than just meeting together to talk about cooperation, you bring the focus of the whole family into the school because that's where the whole family gets their treatment. Maybe that's going to come in the second draft. If it is, then I hope to see that. The only thing they talk about in this draft is spaces. The draft suggests communities could use some space in the school, it says, or perhaps they could use space in municipal buildings or perhaps even in people's homes. I think that misses the point.
Mr. Chairman, I think that it's obvious that the standing committee has been beating it's head against the wall if I read this correctly. I have to admit defeat, I guess.
