Mr. Chairman, thank you. The purpose of the Forgiveness of Debts Act, 1994-95 is to authorize the forgiveness of certain write-offs listed in the schedule to the act. Pursuant to section 25(1) of the Financial Administration Act, the forgiveness of a debt or obligation exceeding $1,000 to the government and most boards and agencies must receive Legislative Assembly approval. When a debt is forgiven, no further collection action shall be pursued. The forgiveness being proposed in this act will not require a new appropriation. Allowance for doubtful accounts appropriations were affected at the time it was determined that collection of the debt was considered unlikely.

Even though an account is written off, Financial Management Board Secretariat government accounting still pursues collection action against the debtor. In the files that have been identified for forgiveness, it is determined that collection of the debt is no longer possible. Mr. Chairman, a large component of the accounts being forgiven are bankruptcies, negotiated settlements and unsubstantiated debts. The number of accounts being forgiven this year is significant, due to the fact that the last forgiveness act was for the year 1988-89. A review of the write-off files is being conducted on an ongoing basis. To date, these files have been identified for forgiveness. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

If I might, Mr. Chairman.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me Mr. Lew Voytilla, the secretary to the Financial Management Board. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Not being on the Standing Committee on Finance -- I know as an alternate, I was once discussing part of this -- I would like to know whether or not the Minister could provide an explanation to the House on each of these write-offs or debts forgiven by the government.

Over the past couple of days, we have been hearing extensively from Ministers about the need to save funding, the need to be able to watch our funding, and the demands that are going to placed upon us. I would like to know what efforts were made to allow for the debts to be forgiven. And, as a Member, I would also like to know the purpose for each of them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The first one that I have is Dionne Furs, purchase of inventory; the amount was $8,817.88 and the reason for the forgiveness was bankruptcy.

Number two, the Receiver General for Canada, it was a reimbursement claim for special art projects, $70,083.06, and we were unable to help.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. In the order of the bill then, Mr. Chairman, with Voyages Goliger Quebec Inc., this was a contribution under the financial assistance to industry policy, $25,000 and the cause was bankruptcy.

Dionne Furs, I believe I did, Mr. Chairman.

The next one is Red Carpet Distribution Inc., the amount was $46,199.25. It was a bankruptcy, Mr. Chairman, and negotiated settlement.

The next one is Robert Edward Galbush, that is medical travel, Health. It was incurred in 1989-90 and in the amount of $2,413.75. The reason was bankruptcy, Mr. Chairman.

The next one is Michel Dupuis, ration assistance, Personnel, 1988-89. The amount is $2,000 and the reason is bankruptcy.

The next one is David John Lundrigan, operating, I believe, Crazy Dave's Audio Visual, the creditor was Public Works and Services, the year was 1988-89, the amount was $2,703.68. It was for rent of a retail store and the reason for the forgiveness was bankruptcy.

Then we have the Canada Tungsten Mining Corporation, the reason for that is medical expenses.

Good afternoon. Item 20, report of committee of the whole. Mr. Whitford.