As the committee reviewed the Department of Executive's draft main estimates, the chairperson noted the placement of the social agenda within that department opened the door for considerable discussion on social issues and problems that would usually fall under the domain of the Standing Committee on Social Programs. The committee would once again like to recommend that the Social Action Working Group or SAWG initiative be placed within the most relevant department, namely the Department of Health and Social Services.

The committee was concerned that there did not appear to be collaboration between the Department of Health and Social Services and the SAWG. While the department's action plan was announced in January of 2002, the recommendations of SAWG are not due to be released until the end of February 2002. The committee is unsure how these recommendations will be incorporated into the department's action plan, or if they will be. The committee would like to be assured that SAWG's recommendations would be considered in the plans of the Department of Health and Social Services.

The committee was also made aware that SAWG's mandate was only recently and rather quickly written, despite the group's previous meetings and significant funding. The committee would like to be assured that this group has clear, established roles and responsibilities and a well-thought out action plan.