Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister inform us as to the revenue that will be generated by this increase? He mentioned in his answer that it was approximately $575,000, I believe. Looking at the main estimates, my math says it's much less than that. Can he inform me as to the correct number?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since it was an initiative of this government, the 13th Assembly -- from what I'm understanding, if the Minister is saying that he's responsible -- why were we not informed at least before the media was? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism; Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources; and, Renewable Resources. The government is proposing the amalgamation of these three departments, and the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development has been reviewing this objective. It's a big initiative and it has impact on both the employees in the department as well as on the general public. Concern has been expressed about this concept; the concept of combining the three departments. Some of the comments that I've heard are that one department is there to cut the trees and the other department is there to save the trees; one department is there to catch fish and the other is there to analyze and promote the environment and save the fish. I received a letter from Enviro Watch on this matter, which I tabled a month or two ago. I would like to ask the Minister if he could explain why this initiative is being taken to combine the departments.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier and this government have stated on a number of occasions, and it has been recommended as well by committee in January, I believe, that we should proceed with plans to amalgamate the three departments: Renewable Resources, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. It's my plan to put together a comprehensive plan on consolidation, amalgamation of these departments, to have it reviewed by Cabinet to present to the appropriate standing committee for their input to ensure that all concerns are heard and addressed. As well, there will be some consultation carried on by myself, personally, with groups that we believe have a stake in this initiative. For instance, we have tried, on a number of occasions, to contact Enviro Watch.

Unfortunately, we've been unable to set up a meeting with this group yet. We've also contacted other groups, and we're developing a plan to have consultation with aboriginal land claims organizations, for instance, different business groups, as well as other stakeholders who may have concerns about this proposed amalgamation so we take and hear their concerns up front rather than late in the process. It's my plan to go out and seek as much input as I can, but still proceed with the plans to amalgamate, to consolidate a plan within the next few months. Thank you.

From what I understand the Minister is saying, he will personally be consulting with the various groups and interested parties. Could he advise us of what time frame he envisions this will take?

Mr. Speaker, as soon as there is a definitive plan on the steps we're going to take to follow through with amalgamation and I have the approval of Cabinet to do so, I will be prepared to share the plan, the timetable and the different phases we're going to be following in carrying out this initiative. I will be prepared to share that with Members. It has to be shared with the appropriate standing committee and with Cabinet. Once that is done, there should be no difficulty in looking at tabling the plan. Thank you.

I wonder if the Minister could advise us if he will record or make a report on what each of the groups' responses will be to his meetings with him, and if we may get a copy of those reports.

Mr. Speaker, some of the discussions will be more of an informal, private, confidential

nature. Those that are public, those that are conveyed by letter, for instance, where there are submissions made, we will be happy to share those with Members so everyone is aware of the positions and views put forward by the different groups that are interested and concerned about this initiative. Thank you.

I would just like to go back to the time frame question. I'm wondering if the Minister could be more definitive about the length of time that this might take.