Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is my pleasure to present the comments of the Standing Committee on Government Operations regarding the Legislative Assembly. Following January's hearings on the first draft of the Assembly's business plan, the committee instructed the Assembly to return with further proposals for reductions. These proposals -- reductions in contracts for such services as security, catering, reduced printing and distribution of Hansard and reductions in the number of Conflict of Interest Commissioners -- have been met and have contributed to the reduction of the Assembly's overall budget.

Reductions in Members' salaries and indemnities are also reflected in the Assembly's reduced budget. Changes to Members' pensions are not yet reflected in the estimates, as more analysis is required to determine the actual expenditure reductions that will result from those changes.

Committee Members had asked for specific proposals to reduce planned costs for paving the capital site in 1997-98 and 1998-99, to be included in the second draft of the business plan. These proposals were not included, and the committee insists that such proposals be presented to the standing committee by June 1, 1996. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.