Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to present the report of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development on the review of the 1998-99 main estimates.

The 1998-99 main estimates form the final budget of this government. The standing committee reviewed the draft 1998-99 main estimates for the Departments of Transportation and Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. For the upcoming 1998-99 fiscal year, a total increase of more than $4.5 million is proposed. Committee Members noted that most of the proposed increases were in operations and maintenance expenditures.

This committee has dealt with severe budget reductions to departments within the resource management and development envelope during the last few years, and Members now feel that there should be a government focus on supporting and promoting programs in this envelope. Such a focus could be expected to benefit other departments and the Northwest Territories as a whole in the future, and is sorely needed.

Committee Members are aware, for example, that there was a loss of approximately 900 construction jobs in the Northwest Territories during the past year. These losses have serious consequences for our people and our government. There is an increased dependency on social programs, existing infrastructure is deteriorating and there is a severe shortfall in the infrastructure development that is needed to support northern business. The committee feels that more emphasis should be placed on programs and services within this envelope to promote economic and infrastructure development.

During its review of the main estimates, the standing committee requested additional information on some matters from the departments within this envelope. The issues for which the committee requires more information have been communicated to the appropriate Minister, or will be referenced in our comments on the main estimates in committee of the whole.

The committee appreciates the assistance of the departments within the resource management and development envelope during our review, especially given the time constraints and requests involved in this process.

Mr. Speaker, this concludes the introductory comments of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development on our review of the 1998-99 main estimates.

Therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kivallivik, that the report of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development on the review of the 1998-99 main estimates be received by the Assembly and moved into committee of the whole.