Thank you Mr. Chairman for reference me as honourable. My comments are reference to Safety and Public Services mid-year activity report. During the review of the 3 year Business Plan submitted by this Department in the Spring of 1996, the Standing Committee of Resource Management and Development noted that the Department planned to prepare for departmentally structuring necessary for Division 1999. And to plan and carry the orderly transfer of Occupational Health and Safety to the Workman's Compensation Board.
It was only during the mid-year activity report review that the Committee found out about the Government's plan to completely dismantle this Department. The Committee had not been consulted about this initiative nor was the Committee provided an update in the Department's mid-year activity report. It must be pointed out that the Committee members had significant involvement in the consolidation of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.
Given the Committee's non involvement in the dismantling of the Department of Safety and Public Works, members are extremely sceptical of the Government's proposal regarding this initiative. During the mid-year activity review, the Department did not provide an update on the dismantling of this Department. Members noted that the Department made no attempt to provide this information in advance of the meeting.
The Minister stated that a strategy paper on the dismantling of Safety and Public Services would be completed shortly and distributed to all members of the Assembly. Members are also very disappointed by these actions, and I remind the Minister of the Committee's responsibility to review policy proposals of the Department in this envelope.
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee recommend all future items dealing with the dismantling of Safety and Public Services, including the strategy papers, be delivered to the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development for review and input before items are distributed to all ordinary members.
Under capital changes. There were no capital changes to this Department. Thank you Mr. Chairman.