Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One of the things that through this budget process, I think, is underlying some of the angst or anxiety that Regular Members are feeling is the lack of
participation in strategic initiatives and the strategic direction of the government.
We got together with the Cabinet Ministers in October to discuss the strategic vision and common goals for the 16th Legislative Assembly. We went
away from there, and to be honest with you, I just really don’t see how our participation or input has been taken into this current budget, and by the looks of it, next year’s budget, by some accounts in some departments. People are doing what they will.
I think there’s some precedent. If you look back at the 15th Legislative Assembly, there was a joint
committee on agencies and boards review. There was a joint pipeline committee. I’m having trouble understanding why it is that this government, when setting strategic direction and strategic initiatives, fails to invite Regular Members to the table. It baffles me why this happens or doesn’t happen. I don’t understand it. I’ve made that abundantly clear.