Agreed.

---Agreed

Agreed.

---Agreed

Agreed.

---Agreed

Agreed.

---Agreed

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you.

Legislative Assembly

Mr. Hamilton.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Management and Services Board, I am pleased to appear before committee of the whole today to present the proposed budget of the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Chairman, as you and other Members know, this is a new position for me and I would like to thank Mr. Lewis, who was acting Speaker and carried the Assembly's estimates through the Standing Committee on Finance.

As you are aware, Mr. Chairman, once they have been approved by the Management and Services Board, the estimates of the Legislative Assembly have traditionally been forwarded to the Financial Management Board for inclusion in the overall government's estimates. This method has always been followed in order to emphasize the independence of the legislative branch of government from the Executive branch. This is not to say, Mr. Chairman, that the Legislative Assembly does not develop its budget without due concern for the overall fiscal realities. However, due to the financial climate that is facing the government, then Speaker, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, worked out a protocol with the Premier and chairman of the Financial Management Board that the Legislative Assembly would participate at the deputy minister level on the government's envelope committee review.

The Clerk participated in all the meetings of the Infrastructure Envelope Committee, so as to protect the independence of the Legislative Assembly. It was also decided that the Minister of Finance, at the direction of the Management and Services Board, would carry forward the decision of the MSB to the ministerial review of the envelope committee's work. During the review, the Legislative Assembly had initially proposed reduction options of 10.5 per cent to the O and M estimates.

Like all other departments in the infrastructure envelope, in which the Legislative Assembly was placed, there were forced growth requirements, new initiatives and revenue options considered. As a result of the review and subsequent decision of the MSB, the Legislative Assembly has before you today O and M estimates in the amount of $9.357 million, which is an overall reduction of 7.2 per cent.

Mr. Chairman, the Legislative Assembly organization underwent a review by the MSB late last fall which resulted in a new organizational structure which was approved by the MSB, and subsequently by Cabinet, and which will provide for a more efficient and clearer reporting for staff and should assist Members in dealing with services.

The structure before you today does not reflect the new structure, as it was approved too late in the budget process. The appropriate task restatements will be completed after the start of the new fiscal year. As a result of the organizational review, two positions were identified to go on half-time status and one position was eliminated and privatized.

Mr. Chairman, the estimates before you today were carefully reviewed to ensure that the dollars being requested would accurately reflect the spending patterns of Members and the workings of the Assembly. I am sure all Members are aware that this is an election year and certain cost savings can be achieved, with the requirement to prorate certain allowances in the year of a general election. This has been included in the estimates. As well, a reduction in the number of sitting days that are normally budgeted for has been made.

Mr. Chairman, the original 10 per cent reduction has been offset by costs related to the holding of the general election and are to cover our commitments for the running of the election, mostly in the educational and promotional areas. I must stress to Members of the committee, as I will to all Members, that this budget is probably one of the most accurate as to our requirements and, thus, has no room to cover unexpected or additional expenditures.

Mr. Chairman, in the coming year, the Legislative Assembly will be redefining further the operational requirements to identify additional cost efficiencies, including placing some positions on a sessional basis. In addition, steps will be taken to prepare for division of the territories, with the development of a transition strategy specifically for the Legislative Assembly. This strategy will address the issue of staffing requirements for the two new Legislatures, staff training opportunities in the areas of the Clerk's office, research and general administration and library services.

Mr. Chairman, this concludes my opening remarks, and I am prepared to entertain any questions. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In her opening remarks to the committee in January 1994, the Speaker noted that there is some confusion and concern regarding the reporting relationship between the Languages Commissioner and the Legislative Assembly. Over the past year, clear reporting relationships have been established for the Official Languages Commissioner. This year, for the first time, the Languages Commissioner appeared before the committee to discuss the office's budget and explain planned expenditures. However, committee Members noted that the Languages Commissioner's presentation dealt less with the function and budget of the office than with more minor technical issues.

Given the relatively small size of the Languages Commissioner's budget, the committee is pleased to see that, rather than using the office's human resources for financial administration, an arrangement with the Legislative Assembly for the provision of financial services is in place. The committee encourages the office of the Languages Commissioner to continue to make the best use of the limited resources available and stay within the allocated funding.

Interpreter/Translator Services

During this review, the committee was informed of the final negotiated amount of federal languages funding which would be available to the government. Committee Members expressed a concern with the impact reduced federal languages funding will have on the ability of the government to provide the level of interpreter/translator services previously available. The Legislative Assembly is a major user of these services and, through them, provides official language coverage of the work of the Assembly and its committees.

The committee encourages the Legislative Assembly to be actively involved in government discussions regarding the provision of interpreter/translator services. At the next O and M review, the committee will be looking for an appropriate balance between the need to inform all residents of the workings of the Assembly and their representatives in the official languages, and the government-wide need to focus dwindling dollars on programs at the community level.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Line By Line

Office Of The Clerk

Agreed.

---Agreed

Office Of The Speaker