Yes, we do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs met with the Minister and his officials on January 22, 2002 to discuss the 2002-2003 Main Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services.

Since the review of the business plans, members noted a reduction of $49,000 related to funding for boards for collective agreements; an increase of $189,000 in the amortization estimate; a new initiative for $500,000 related to the development of a legislative action plan and a transfer of $50,000 to the Department of Public Works and Services for funding of office space, under operations expense.

Members noted that there were no changes to the capital acquisition plan since the review of the business plans for the Department of Health and Social Services.

A full and frank discussion on the future of the Health and Social Services system was held between the Minister and the members of the committee. It should be noted that the action plan for the Department of Health and Social Services has not been incorporated into these main estimates. Consequently, the Minister has admitted, and the members of the committee fully expect, that there will be supplementary appropriations relating to the implementation of the action plan.

The standing committee tried to keep its comments confined to the actual main estimates, but as the future of health and social services is dependent on the content of the action plan, overlap has occurred. A report outlining the concerns of committee with the action plan has been forwarded under separate cover.