Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight is pleased to present its Report on the 2007-2008 Pre-Budget Review Process. This report covers both the committee review of the 2007-2010 draft business plans, which took place in September 2006, and the review of 2007-2008 draft main estimates, which took place in January 2007.
2007-2008 was the second budget cycle with pre-budget consultations, which the committee undertook in late summer of 2006. The committee presented its report on those consultations last October and looks forward to the tabling of the government's response later in this sitting.
This was also the second year committees used a shortened process to review the draft main estimates. Committee members continue to support this approach as we feel that detailed discussions on the proposed budget should take place in the Legislative Assembly, on the public record rather than in closed-door meetings.
Our shortened review of the draft main estimates, conducted on January 15, 2007, included a fiscal update from the Minister of Finance, as well as an opportunity to receive information on changes made to the budget since last September's draft business plans.