Item 7, oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would gladly receive input from residents across the Territories on what we could do to save dollars for government and for the people overall as taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, one of the problems we had again was the timeline and choosing to come forward and have a full budget by the end of this fiscal year -- that's the end of this month - which put us under some severe time constraints as to what we could do. One of the processes I will follow, besides the fact that we will be working with Members and the northern leaders next month as we lay out and give the information we have about our fiscal situation, is to consult with northerners and through chambers of commerce and other groups, seeking more input in what might be achieved through our budget reform process. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think we have a tendency sometimes to look for big-tickets items, items that are in the hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars where we can save money. I think where our constituents and people in the public service could help us is in areas involving smaller amounts and smaller adjustments where the impacts won't be felt as greatly, but added all together they would make a significant difference, as well. That's why I think it's important to have some mechanism set up where these kinds of suggestions can be channelled and properly considered and responded to. So I would look forward to the Minister coming forward with something like that. Otherwise it's just possible to lose those suggestions in the fray of day-to-day business. Thank you.

I would like to recognize the clock that time has lapsed for question period, but I will allow the Member to finish her questions. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the interim, before setting up a formal process, I will commit to starting a process from within my office. If the Members are aware and have suggestions themselves or know of constituents who have some suggestions, they can contact my office directly. I will start a log as to what suggestions are being put forward, and respond to those that would send in their suggestions. So I'll start from my office and we'll work forward from there. Thank you.

Thank you. At this time, I would like to recognize the people in the gallery and thank them for coming today. It's nice to see our gallery filled with students who show interest in the political process. To the other people who are in the gallery, welcome.

---Applause

Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, replies to budget address. Item 12, petitions. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS there is requirement for the naming of two Members to hold the positions of deputy chairpersons of Committee of the Whole;

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to appoint two Members;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, the honourable Member for

Nunakput, Mr. Calvin Pokiak, and the honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. David Ramsay, be appointed as deputy chairpersons of the Committee of the Whole.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

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

---Carried

Item 17, motions. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the Speaker be authorized to set such sitting days and hours as the Speaker, after consultation, deems fit to assist with the business before the House.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

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

---Carried

Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 1, Appropriation Act, 2004-2005; Committee Report 1-15(3): Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight Report on the Review of the Draft 2004-2005 Main Estimates; and, Committee Report 2-15(3): Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on the Review of the Draft 2004-2005 Main Estimates, with Mrs. Groenewegen in the chair.

I will call Committee of the Whole to order. Before us today we have Bill 1, Appropriation Act, 2004-2005; Committee Report 1-15(3): Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight Report on the Review of the Draft 2004-2005 Main Estimates; and, Committee Report 2-15(3): Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on the Review of the Draft 2004-2005 Main Estimates. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I would suggest that the committee consider Bill 1, Appropriation Act, 2004-2005, and Committee Report 1-15(3). Perhaps we can begin with general comments on the Appropriation Act to be followed by consideration of this from the Department of Finance and should we conclude that, then commence the Financial Management Board Secretariat. Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

Does the committee agree that we will commence with that order after a short break?

Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

I will call the committee back to order. We are on Bill 1, Appropriation Act, 2004-2005. Are there any general comments with respect to the appropriation act? Does the committee agree then that we proceed with the Department of Finance?

Would the Minister provide us then with his opening comments?