Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure to present the report of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development on its review of the 1996-97 main estimates and departmental business plans. I would like to begin with an overview of the process.
Since being elected in mid-October of 1995, Members of the Legislative Assembly have been developing a new and more effective way of conducting business. This new process started with revising the standing committee system that allows Members to review department business plans and budgets. The Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development was charged with the following mandate: review legislation and policy proposals, multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, public accounts and division issues;review departmental performance; and, considering any other matters referred by the House for the departments of Economic Development and Tourism; Renewable Resources; Transportation; Safety and Public Services; and, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.
Given the difficult financial problems facing the government, the first order of business was to review departmental three year business plans. As a result of the initial review in January 1996, and subsequent reviews in February and April 1996, a number of cost-saving measures were recommended by the standing committee and incorporated into the 1996-97 main estimates. The committee also approved a number of reductions proposed by the departments. This approach facilitated total reductions to this envelope's budget of more than $17 million and 51 person years.
Normally, the budget process would begin in the fall and be finalized during the spring months. Given the fall election, however, Members and government departments were forced to review both multi-year plans and budgets at the same time. This constraining factor did not allow Members to review, in detail, every element within each department.
Members do, however, look forward to the fall of 1996 when the review of the 1997-98 budget begins. Members hope, at that time, a more detailed review of departmental budgets can be accomplished. A true consensus government system demands that all partners are involved in the decision-making process. As a result, a recurring theme of committee involvement is evident throughout this report. Members of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development are encouraged by the initial steps taken by the government, and hope this trend continues in the future.
Motion To Receive Committee Report 3-13(3) And Move To Committee Of The Whole, Carried
Mr. Speaker, that concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development. Therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the report of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development of the review of the 1996-97 main estimates be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole.