Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have some brief general comments. In regard to the Executive's budget, we have all heard the discussion about the debt wall. Even though things are optimistic, there is a need to show prudence and restraint. The expectation would be that the Executive would lead by example.
But what we have here is a budget that, according to the calculations I have seen, is 18 percent forced growth. They are layering on, more than doubling the staff palace guard around the Premier at a time when our jurisdiction has shrunk almost 40 percent from division.
Cabinet has shrunk by one at a time when we tell people there is no money for adult education, that there has been no increase in student financial assistance since 1992, that the food basket used for income support has not been increased for many years. There is inadequate housing, health costs...and yet we have the Executive coming forward with this very luxurious budget and what appears to be to me for a relatively new Cabinet, some very expensive habits that far exceed the necessary size.
I am also concerned about the comments I hear periodically about using Caucus discussions to justify some expenditures that we have no say over.
In regard to the actual positions, they make the case of telling us they have gone from 72 before division to 70 now, which to me is miniscule and probably unsubstantial in relation to the loss of jurisdiction and the shrinkage in government. The only thing that has not shrunk is headquarters. I can tell you the services in regions and communities have shrunk quite significantly, but not in headquarters.
There have been concerns with the affirmative action program for a long time. In the 13th Assembly, committees did the work. There are a lot of recommendations and considerations just sitting on the shelf. The offer now for the Premier to do another retreat to talk about things is appreciated, but the reality is that this is a program that has been with us for a long time. It has a lot of shortcomings. My hope would be that the Premier would be instructing his staff not to just remain with the status quo, but to take the steps to start dealing with that.
I also have significant concerns about this regional community affairs division with its yet undefined mandate, which to me shows full potential of becoming a significant decision making forum that could possibly undermine or circumvent community and regional decision making.
The other area of concern is the Regulatory Reform Secretariat, that started with much pomp and circumstance a number of years ago to thin out the red tape, to give us efficiency and regulatory reform. It contains all of the books, but as far as I have seen, has yet to show any product, is long on process and has no real outcomes.
I would hope the Premier would be casting his attention to that as we talk about regulatory reform. One of the main concerns that drives investors away is that things are too cumbersome and are unclear on how to deal with.
Mr. Chairman, when I look at the battles we are facing in our communities, when I look at the battles we are facing to maintain programs and services and I see a budget that comes with 18 percent forced growth, I must say I am deeply disappointed. I am not happy having to stand up in this House and go after the government for money for adult education, to put money into the food baskets of the people on income support, the needy, or the homeless. When we tell them there is no money, what we see is an amoebae-like growth, and the Executive demands to increase their already palatial circumstances. To me, Mr. Chairman, we are not sending the right message that the focus should be on the people and needs of the people. We should be demonstrating that we can live within our resources and provide the service without these kinds of excessive demands. Thank you.