The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight expressed concern over the number of consultants procured by the Department of Health and Social Services. Committee members stated that various consultants through previous governments and department administrations have studied the same problems repeatedly. The standing committee would like to see less examination of the problems and more implementation of recommendations from previous studies. The problems and solutions have not changed, just their relative magnitude. While the department waits for the results of its most current consultation effort, life goes on. In many cases, these consultation projects have been sole-sourced to southern contractors, even though in some cases, northern consultants are available. In short, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight would like to see more concrete results rather than more consultants' reports.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to pass the report back to the chairman of the committee. Thank you.