Mr. Chairman, in the role of the superintendent, the question is, what does this person do and what kind of authority does he have. Mr. Chairman, I made references earlier to a major initiative of this government when we started and the agenda for change, how we intend to make government more effective and efficient by transferring authority and accountability for actions to program departments and to the communities. This has allowed for streamlining processes and trying to get rid of unnecessary regulations. It is also for reducing administration and increasing the authority the superintendent has, which is quite substantial. The superintendent has full control and authority for his budget. The superintendent follows all the policies of this government and in cases of discussing proposals that are put forward, unsolicited proposals by different individuals in this case, specifically for looking at office spaces and so forth. They are the front-line workers and they have discussed different ideas that different groups have come forward with to deal with accommodating the government. Yes, that is their responsibility to initiate discussions.

Once discussions are underway, this is moved to the deputy ministers for approval. This is how they work together to eventually develop a plan. There is a disposal policy for government assets. In the case of major government assets, again, it has to be approved by the Financial Management Board before disposal of that major asset. This is the way the superintendent works. Thank you.

Before we take a break, I would like to remind all Members that we have a Member who will be declaring a conflict of interest. Please try to refrain from discussing the matters on page 5-8 while the Member is sitting here who will be declaring conflict of interest. Thank you. We will take a break for lunch.

--Break

Good afternoon. I would like to call the committee back to order. We were on the directorate, page 5-6. Mr. Krutko has a few seconds left out of his ten minute allotted time. Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Members of the Legislative Assembly were given a copy of the financial signing authorities of the deputy minister. I do not know whether it has been handed out or not, but we did provide that to the Clerk. The superintendents have similar types of authorities handed out to them. They have that issued, as well, to the superintendents. Their accountability is in line with them. Each superintendent has a budget that they have authority over. Thank you.

Thank you. Members are indicating that such paper, protocol or signing authority paper was not received by Members from that side of the table. Since Mr. Krutko's time was almost over when we took a break, I will now recognize Mr. Steen, who is on the list. Mr. Steen, we are back on page 5-6, directorate due to the request of Mr. Krutko. Do you want to pass this now or return to project management? Which page are you going to be referring to? Mr. Steen.

Thank you. Page 5-6, total operations and maintenance, $8.839 million. Agreed?

Agreed.

Thank you. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there are two directives which should be taken into consideration with respect to signing authorities and multi-year contracts. There is a section 43(2) of the Financial Administration Act. There is FAM Directive 802-1 entitled Signing Authorities. Mr. Chairman, section 43(2) of the Financial Administration Act states that, no person should enter into multi-year a contract unless:

a) the person considers that the circumstances require such an expenditure to be incurred and the contract or obligation is in the public interest, and

b) the contract is entered into or the obligation assumed in accordance with the direction of the Minister whose department administers the contract or any particular case or class of cases.

In Section B of it, the obligation is assumed in accordance with the direction of the Minister whose department administers contracts. In this case, according to the delegation of authority that we just provided here, that authority under the direction of the Minister was delegated to the deputy minister. Thank you.

Thank you. Total operations and maintenance. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is correct. According to the Financial Administration Act, that I just read, in section 43(2), there are provisions in there that stipulate how this is done. We have complied completely with it. However, again, the deputy ministers have authority according to their budgets. It is approved on a year to year basis. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I can only speak for this department. The ability to sign over the full authority to the deputy minister has been approved by Cabinet, the ability of it. That is how this department has done it as well. Thank you.