Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has the mandate to promote economic self-sufficiency through the sustainable development of natural resources and to enhance the creation of sustainable opportunities in the traditional and wage economies. It is also responsible for the promotion of sustainable development through the management and protection of the quality, diversity and abundance of natural resources and the integrity of the environment.

The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development met with the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and his staff on January 21, 2002, to review the department's draft Main Estimates for 2002-2003.

Committee members noted a $1,098,000 projected increase in operations expenditures from the 2002-2005 business plans. This increase is largely due to $765,000 in approved strategies and priorities, as well as an increase of $172,000 due to forced growth; a decrease of $11,000 due to amortization and an increase of $172,000 in other FMB approvals. The department did not propose any additional expenditures to its capital from its business plan.