Thank you, Mr. Roland. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Then can we have an indication as to whether this is just the start of a lot more operational money that we are going to be approving? This is just to take care of things that need to be taken care of this year or in the interim before the next budget comes, because we know later on in the supplementary appropriation we have requests for a big capital funding that is going to go to the airport. I just want to know if this $40,000 for the Yellowknife Airport is stage one of many stages that are going to come and how much the final tally will be. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the project itself will be substantially more than what this is. This item is just the first little piece of it. On page 19 of the document is a further amount that is being requested or that we've...(inaudible)...accounted for. In the 2004-2005 year we're looking at $3.4 million. When this work is done, on the operational side we estimate will be another $160,000 ongoing just for operations and maintenance. The rest of the plan will fall into the normal procedures through the business plan, through the capital infrastructure process. It's my understanding that this information was shared from the Department of Transportation with members to inform them that this, in fact, was going to be happening. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Transportation, operations expenditures, airports, not previously authorized, $81,000.

Highways, special warrants, $273,000.

Total department, special warrants, $273,000, not previously authorized, $81,000.

On page 15, Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, operations expenditures, corporate management, not previously authorized, $15,000.

Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, not previously authorized, $200,000.

Ms. Lee.

Thank you. I'd like to have some more information on that because it sounds to me like this is an ongoing program and why is it that this was not in the budget to start with? Why did that happen? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The program itself was originated back in the days of the 13th Assembly, I believe, 1994. A program was initiated. The total amount of the program was for $15 million and eligible groups were able to apply for it. A formula was established based on the general hunting licences held by each region. That split out that money. It had to be matched by the organization. So if an organization wanted to see this, they had to come up with their dollars and it had to be put into a separate account and then they could start accessing it for those harvesters. The amount that's left has shrunk substantially from the days it was put in. It is a capped program, so the only reason it's ongoing is that some organizations haven't drawn down what they were eligible for when this program first came out. The

reason it doesn't show up in the regular budget planning process is that we're unaware of who would make a requirement on that fund and at what time of the year they would put in an application. It could sit there for a number of years without being drawn down, and until an organization comes forward with a plan in matching dollars, it sits there and we just address it this way because we're unable to account for it when we go through our planning process. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Braden.

Madam Chair, I'm wondering about the outcome of these programs. Perhaps I should start by asking to what degree are organizations that receive contributions accountable for results or performance? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, when the funding is forwarded and a proposal put in, there is an accounting of it done through the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and they have to show how they'd use that money and what purposes it was used for and if, in fact, it did fit what the requirements were. So there is an accounting back to the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Braden.

Mr. Chairman, could the Minister advise what kinds of programs or projects or initiatives are being contemplated here by the Fort Smith Metis Council? I'm trying to get a sense here of where public funds are going and if there is a well-thought-out plan and a way of measuring and reporting back on what this money has done. Thank you.