Thank you, Madam Chair. Gosh, that's a pretty big increase there in percentage. Oh, help me out here. What's that? About 15 percent? This has been something of concern to committee, Madam Chair, is the rate of increase in the cost of this program. I think we're probably at, what, the half-way point, or maybe a little less than half of this is collected from the dividend that we get through the Power Corporation. However, the balance, Madam Chair -- and I suppose we should anticipate that it's going to be in excess of $4 million -- comes from general revenue; comes from other programs or takes the option away for us to spend money somewhere else. So while we cannot, I don't think we can deny this, Madam Chair, I'm not going to be voting against it, and again, I'm going to be flagging the alarming rate of increase, the affordability and the sustainability of this program as long as we continue to allow it to go under its current criteria. I think that's it. I really don't have a question, Madam Chair, unless the Minister would care to comment and potentially address the previous motion of the House from October 2004, when we asked the government to assess the Power Subsidy Program and look at options for keeping in mind its affordability to the government as well as the need for assisting with an essential service. This was a motion of a committee from 2004, Madam Chair, that I believe has not yet been addressed by the government in relation to the soaring costs of the Power Subsidy Program. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Bill Braden on Committee Motion 51-15(5): To Delete $682,000 From Human Resources, Operations Expenditures In Bill 22, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2006-2007, Defeated
In the Legislative Assembly on March 9th, 2007. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 51-15(5): To Delete $682,000 From Human Resources, Operations Expenditures In Bill 22, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2006-2007, Defeated
Revert To Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 8th, 2007
Page 1411
See context to find out what was said next.