Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the committee's report, we raised some concerns with the petroleum products revolving fund and how that impacts on planning and so on. We realize as well, when we first went through the draft main estimates, the planned increase for fuel prices in the small communities has been put off. What does that do for the situation around the petroleum products and the delivery of petroleum products?

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, the end result of that decision is going to be that we are going to be about $700,000 further in debt this year. We increased the deficit of the revolving fund by about $700,000.

Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. What does that do to the legislated debt limit for the revolving fund?

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, that can bring us closer to our limit, but I will ask Mr. Aumond to elaborate on that.

Mr. Aumond.

Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the reason that was stated in not going forward with the increased amount was we were able to purchase fuel and get it delivered to communities at a lower rate, that obviously, by the sounds of it, has not helped the situation. What is causing it? Is it a combination of higher costs at the communities? Fuel prices are still relatively low compared to when one of the big concerns in all departments was that the price seemed to be going through the roof.

Mr. Aumond. Excuse me, Mr. Roland, did you have something to add?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just got cut off right at the end there. Again, the impacts of those decisions and the long-term outlook for petroleum products. Thank you.

Mr. Aumond.

Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Realizing that is a real potential, during the review of the department's main estimates, the Minister stated that he would be going forward to have some of that written off. Is that the intention, and when would the Minister come forward with information on that?

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am planning to come forward with that in April. The plan is that because we reduced the number of communities that are involved in the program, it is only appropriate that portion of the revolving fund that would have been applicable to those communities would be written off by this government, because it is seen as not fair that you apply this cost to the communities that are still in the system, because in fact, they did not generate it. That is the overall plan.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. At this time, I will recognize the clock and rise and report progress. I would like to thank the Minister and his witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, would you escort the witnesses out? Thank you.

The House will come back to order. Item 20, report of committee of the whole. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Do we have a seconder for the motion? The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey, seconds the motion. We have a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. All those in favour, please signify. Thank you. All those opposed? Thank you. The motion is carried. Item 21, third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.