I would like to thank the Minister and the witnesses for their attendance here. Perhaps, I can get a recommendation from a Member as to where we proceed from here. Mr. Ootes.

May I suggest that we review the Department of Safety and Public Services?

Thank you. Is that the wish of the committee?

Thank you. We will then move on to the Department of Safety and Public Services. We start on page 5-9. I will invite Mr. Antoine, the Minister responsible for Safety and Public Services, to make his opening comments.

Minister's Introductory Remarks

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. May I now request Mr. Ootes, a Member of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development to put forward ... I'm sorry, Mr. Krutko, to put forward the standing committee's comments on Safety and Public Services.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today, I am pleased to present the Department of Safety and Public Services proposed main estimates of $6.879 million and 75.5 PYs. This small department is responsible for regulatory programs which provide inspections, certification systems and registries that reduce the risk of fire, explosions and electrical hazards in the Northwest Territories' communities. The department also provides a range of public services; including, lotteries regulation, vital statistics, labour standards regulation and the administration of several professional registries. It provides administrative support for the Public Utilities Board and is responsible for the distribution and control of liquor in the Northwest Territories.

I have now had an opportunity to appear before ... Excuse me. I'll try this again.

Standing Committee On Resource Management and Development Comments

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development's review of the 1996-97 main estimates of the Department of Safety and Public Services. During the review of Safety and Public Services, committee Members were concerned with the cost-saving measures proposed by the department. Given this department's responsibility to ensure public safety, Members were uneasy about approving cuts in the areas of consumer education, staffing and capital expenditures. The department responded by reassuring the committee that the proposed cuts would compromise public safety.

Occupational Health And Safety

One large area of concern for Members was the transfer of occupational health and safety to the Workers' Compensation Board, completed in early April 1996. During its initial review in January 1996, Members raised concerns about this transfer and asked that the government provide a detailed briefing on the issue. It is only now, after the transfer has been completed, that such a briefing is being scheduled. Committee Members were also disappointed that the government did not consult with stakeholders prior to completing the transfer.

In the future, when the government is undertaking major organizational or program changes, the committee expects that information about the changes will be provided well in advance. This will allow the Members to review the information and either offer suggestions and recommendations or provide support for such a change.

Liquor Revolving Fund

During the January and February reviews, the committee raised concerns about the large amounts of capital being retained under the liquor revolving fund. Members recommended that the government make better use of these dollars by decreasing and monitoring inventory levels and negotiate more timely delivery dates with liquor manufacturers. The committee will be looking for cost savings in this area during the fall 1996 review of the business plan.

Liquor Boards

Committee Members raised concerns over the cost of maintaining the current Liquor Board structure. Members were told that each board had up to nine members, but required only three to establish a quorum. The committee feels this is another area of ineffectiveness and recommends that the department amend its legislation to reduce the total number of board members from nine to five. The committee further asks that those amendments be initiated by the department as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. For the record, it is the second statement that is the official statement of the standing committee's comments.

--- Interjection

Very well. I will now ask the Minister if he would like to bring in witnesses.

Does the committee agree?

You may bring in your witnesses, Mr. Antoine.

I welcome the witnesses to the House. I will ask the Minister to introduce his witnesses.

Welcome to the committee. I will now open the floor to general comments on the department's expenditures. Have we any general comments? Mr. Ootes.

General Comments

Yes, I just have a question with regard to the comment made by the Minister regarding whether this department should remain as a stand-alone department. What is the potential of combining with one other department, if this department is combined with another one? What department would it likely be combined with?

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Are there any further general comments? Do Members agree that we proceed on to page 5-10, directorate?

Directorate, operations and maintenance, total operations and maintenance, $904,000.