Thank you, Madam Chair. Members of the Accountability and Oversight committee had an opportunity to meet with the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board on September 28, 2005, to review the draft business plan for the centralized human resource unit, prior to the creation of the new stand-alone Department of Human Resources.

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight met with the Finance Minister on January 17th to be briefed on major changes within the new stand-alone department.

Committee members made note that the department is proposing to spend $29.237 million in operations expense in fiscal year 2006-2007, and $500,000 on capital projects in fiscal year 2006-2007.

Members note that consolidation of human resources is finalized with the creation of the stand-alone Department of Human Resources. Important policy issues relating to human resources and the future direction of the public service had previously been put on the backburner while the prerequisite organizational change took place. Now that reorganization is complete, Members look forward to turning their attention to this matter. Some of the priorities Members look forward to discussing with the Minister responsible for the Human Resource department include: employment equity and the importance of attaining a public service that is representative of the population it serves; the changing demographic of the public service and the need for secession planning; and attaining increased efficiency and effectiveness in government administration. That concludes my comments, Madam Chair.