Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know I was in Nigeria observing an election. I have gained a great respect for smooth functioning of the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. I know that the work they do is important. If we approved a budget for $9000 in the first place, I'm sure that there's a very good reason for these conferences. So now we're asking them to withdraw $9000, and I think it's incumbent on me as a legislator to know what conferences these are and what kind of impact this would have on the professional growth or ability of the Chief Electoral Officer or whoever is in that office that was supposed to go to conferences. Or maybe this was just budget cuts set aside, but something that they chose not to use. I will tell you, I have gained new respect for Chief Electoral Officers. They travel all around the world, informing other people. So I'd like to know, I'd like to have that information, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, I'll refer that question to the Clerk.

Mr. Hamilton.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, not previously authorized, negative $9000. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think that was very good information. We know that the Chief Electoral Officer we have is one of the most experienced, so he may not suffer from not having that, but I'm sure the people who will be at that conference will miss his service. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

That's more a comment than a question. Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, not previously authorized, negative $9000.

Commissioner of Official Languages, not previously authorized, negative $100,000. Agreed?

Excuse me, Ms. Lee. We already passed that item. I didn't see your hand up. Legislative Assembly, operations expense, total department, not previously authorized, $268,000. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the total budget for the Legislative Assembly, the amount being asked here not previously authorized is $268,000 and $100,000 of that will come from the Commissioner of Official Languages, which is 20 percent of the total budget of that office. So I would like to know what the impact of that cut is. Thank you.

Mr. Handley.

The advice I have received is that it will have a minimal impact.

Legislative Assembly, operations expense, total department, not previously authorized, negative $268,000. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, may I get a breakdown of that $100,000? I don't think my clock renewed when I got into this item. Thank you.

Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, again, this is information that will be provided to all Members as soon as it's copied. There's a $5000 reduction in procurement of materials and supplies, $35,000 through implementation of a cost-sharing opportunity with the advisory board meetings, a $10,000 reduction in legal services and other contract spending, and there is $50,000 from a delay in staffing a research officer position until November 2003.

Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I didn't get all of what was said there, but $35,000 for implementation cost-sharing. I would like to know what that is, and what the impact of that will be. Thank you.

Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, the Languages Commissioner has indicated that this would have minimal impact. I'm assuming by cost-sharing opportunities for the advisory board meetings means that there would be some coordination of those meetings with other events that the Languages Commissioner is managing. Thank you.