We'll take a short break and get a motion ready.

---SHORT RECESS

I call the Committee of the Whole back to order. I will get the honourable Member to read out the motion. Mr. Nitah.

Thank you. There is a motion on the floor. To the motion. The motion is not debatable.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is defeated.

---Defeated

We are at page 4-15, community financial services, grants and contributions, contributions, total contributions, $3.75 million. Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a couple of questions on 4-15, expanding the boundaries of my constituency a little because of the fact that one of my colleagues is unable to be in the House today. I would like to ask the Minister about the water intake project in Rae. It's my understanding that some of this money is identified for that project, but in fact I think the preliminary estimates or the amount of work that needs to be done are in the $8 million range. I understand as well that a study has been completed and I think the Minister is in possession of that study that would indicate exactly how this should be carried out. I think he explained the other day that he won't table it until March 3rd despite the fact that it seems to be complete now. I am wondering if the Minister can explain the status of this project and why it seems to be not moving ahead as quickly as possible. It seems that if the study doesn't come forward until March 3rd, we will likely be coming close to the end of this session before we have any chance to influence any changes to that. I am wondering if the Minister's thinking is, if there were any urgent resources required, he would then come forward for

a supplementary appropriation in order to complete the work on the project in Rae. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Minister Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The funding we have under this is identified for capital water and sewage within tax-based communities. There is, as we indicated, $1 million as well for the chipsealing program. This particular funding did not include the work that's being done in Rae-Edzo. However, I will have the deputy respond to the Member's question.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Ms. DeLancey.

Thank you, Ms. DeLancey. Mr. Bell.

Okay. Can I have some commitment from the Minister then that the lab reports will be completed by month end and that we will have a chance then to see that in committee and in the House before we adjourn this session? I think it would be important for Members and certainly the Member most specifically concerned to be able to have this information and be able to question the Minister in any event, whatever the lab reports have determined, because it seems to me that, should it require another water source, obviously as the deputy has indicated, it would require more money. That would be something that I think the Member would like a chance to speak to and lobby for, given the urgency of the situation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is where we are talking about capital money and it's identified as $840,000 for this fiscal year and $600,000 for the next fiscal year and $10,000 for 2005-2006 for that particular capital project.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Bell.

Yes, I see the $1.7 million that we've identified and the deputy indicated that would be required for the current water source chosen. Clearly we can't know what the costs will be in going forward in future years if it's deemed that there's a more appropriate water source, but I think the Member is certainly interested in having a chance to see those lab reports prior to the adjournment of session, so we can have some discussion about whether another water source is preferable and get some sort of discussion around how much money we would be talking about in future years. After this session and after we pass this budget, the next year's budget process will certainly be shortened, given that it's an election year. I think the Member is going to want a chance to get some commitments from this Minister that, if we are talking about a different water source, he has the chance to get that kind of thing into the capital plan and onto the department's radar before two budget sessions from now. Clearly this is something that has needed work for some time and I don't think it's adequate to suggest that this will have to be delayed another couple of years if there are substantial changes of this nature made. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we can commit to having the report available before the session is completed and then we can have some input from the Member as to which options we would proceed with. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Page 4-15, community financial services, grants and contributions, contributions, total contributions, $3.75 million. I will call it again. Community financial services, grants and contributions, contributions, total contributions, $3.75 million.

Page 4-17, emergency services, operations expense, total operations expense, $703,000. Mr. Nitah.

There's a motion on the floor. The motion is being passed around. The Chair will give Members an opportunity to look at the motion. The motion is in order. To the motion.