The standing committee reviews the budgets of each department based on a breakdown by activity. In most departments, the activity breakdowns are small enough that committee members can get a very good sense of what is happening and how the budget is to be used. However, for example, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has very few activities, despite having one of the largest departmental budgets in government. As a result, large pools of money are merely identified as other expenses. Under advanced education and careers, for example, the department shows $24,692,000 for other expenses, an amount that is almost as much as the entire operational budget for the Financial Management Board Secretariat.
Not only were there large amounts listed under other expenses, but the department was unable to quickly provide detailed information on what items were covered under those other expenses. Although the breakdown was subsequently provided, it was not in time to adequately be considered during the review of the main estimates.
The Accountability and Oversight Committee has previously recommended that a breakdown be provided of these other expenses.
The Standing Committee on Social Programs has requested that the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight provide the government with another recommendation on including breakdowns on other expenses as an information item when presenting the main estimates.
Mr. Speaker, that concludes the introductory portion of the report.
I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the Report of the Standing Committee on Social Programs on the Review of the 2001-2002 Main Estimates be received by the Legislative Assembly and moved into committee of the whole for consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.