Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to take a few minutes to make general comments about my observations going through the budget in the committee, as well as following the Minister's opening statement. My points pertain to the question of notice to the municipal governments when there is a change to financing arrangements and the work that the department is doing on changing the formula for block funding. As well, I would like to mention a few things about the legislative changes to the municipal legislation and the changes the department is undertaking on land administration.
My comments will be very general, Mr. Chairman. I know there will be many other Members who probably would comment on the first item, which has to do with the notice. I just want to reiterate that I think it came to all of us as a surprise in the last Session when a reduction in the funding to the municipal governments was announced without any notice, to not only the Members, but to the municipal governments. I do want to state for the record I hope this never happens again, because I fundamentally believe it is so contrary to the stated position of this government and this Assembly, which is partnership in a real way with all other governments and all other partners. That was something that should never have happened and it should never happen again. I am sure that we will have more time to discuss that later on.
My second comment, Mr. Chairman, has to do with the initiative the department is undertaking at the moment to review the formula financing for block funding. I have no information as to what the result of this review will be. Obviously, this is of great interest to all of us, the tax-based municipalities. Mr. Chairman, I must say I was quite astounded when, during the review, I asked a question about what the formula was. I think the answer was something like it is based on past spending and future needs or something like that. We have to do better than that in terms of figuring out a formula. I think that was the general gist of it. I am sure there is a lot more detail to it, but that was a simply put way. I must say I am looking forward to getting the result of this. I do want to caution the department that whatever changes might be coming forward, it should be fair and equitable and that it is not going to result in massive changes to the traditional formula. I want to see a streamlined, clear formula, but it should not be in a way that totally changes the way that municipalities have been getting funding.
I look forward to getting more information. I would, again, ask the department to consult with us, with our committee, with the Members, and with the municipalities so that we come out with the result that would have a great deal of buy in and one that would make a great deal of sense in that all municipalities will feel they are being treated fairly and that the formula makes sense.
I just have two general comments. I appreciate and I notice that this department has a very ambitious agenda for the next little while. The Minister made a statement in his opening comments that he has instructed the department to make legislative changes to a number of municipal acts. I do not have detailed information on what that might be, but I would urge the department to work with the standing committee and the municipalities on all of these, because that is the most important part of this process. I do not think we are going to get to the end of this without a great deal of...we are not going to find the best and acceptable solution to municipalities and the rest of the Members here, if enough consultation is not done.
That goes for the land administration as well, Mr. Chairman. I think anybody who is involved in this field understands that whenever the word land is mentioned, the complexities automatically fall in there. When you are talking about land administration, it involves many different parties and professions, long traditions and complexities built over many decades.
The Minister makes reference to a work plan that might be worked out. I would like to take a look at what is entailed in that work plan. I think it is on page 5. It says "a work plan to address these concerns has been developed and will be implemented this year." I would caution the Minister that if such a work plan is in place, it is something that should call for wide consultation, certainly before it goes into any kind of implementation. It may be that it is something totally internal. I am thinking it might be bigger than that.
I guess my four points I would like to make here are that this department has to be at the forefront in terms of how the business is done and how it consults with the communities and the rest of the Members. I would like to make that comment, Mr. Chairman.