Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to make it clear to the Member that I was not saying the councils are not under pressure fiscally. I was trying to point out that it is not particularly productive to pick one particular area of the formula that we use because they get a total lump sum, no matter how we may come up with those dollars. They get a pot of money and they can spend it any way they want. If they choose not to spend money on bussing for instance, things can get allocated. That was the point I was trying to make. Yes, all of the divisional education councils are under fiscal pressure as is the whole government with the cutbacks. I cannot answer the Member's question about what it would take. It would take some time to determine what it is we need. We heard from Members around the table yesterday and today about the need to bring down the pupil/teacher ratio. Other Members noted that teacher supports are more important. I think it would take some time to say, well here is my wish list and then grant it by order of priority. I do not know how productive that would be at this point, not seeing any pots of gold at the end of the rainbow right now. I think we are better served by working to deliver programs, as best we can, with the resources we have. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Charles Dent on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on May 26th, 1998. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
May 25th, 1998
Page 1426
See context to find out what was said next.