Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll speak to the borrowing limits and I’ll get Ms. Melhorn to speak to the shared services piece.
Our position in regard to the borrowing limit has been clear and consistent. We’re involved in a government-to-government negotiation and discussion with the federal Finance department. There’s been a review of the three territories’ borrowing limits. This is an issue of specific concern to us so we’ve been very proactive in dealing with the federal government. We’ve had meetings just before Christmas when we were in Kananaskis, a chance to talk to the Minister of Finance. I informed committee of this. The Minister indicated that they would like to see this issue resolved by spring. In our last conversation with Minister Flaherty he indicated that they’re still committed to doing this, and hopefully would now be down to a number of weeks. We have offered up a number of suggestions and had discussions at the staff level on what’s the best way forward and what’s been contemplated by the federal government.
At the same time, months ago now, there was a process started by the Member of Parliament that through the Private Member’s Bill process that as it’s gained traction and made its way through the rather difficult process for Private Member’s Bills, it’s garnered a lot of attention by the press. When federal Parliament discusses the northern borrowing limit, it focuses a lot of attention and the question kept being posed to us is what is our position. Our position has remained the same, that we are intent on concluding an agreement with the federal Finance department on a borrowing limit, the final details of which have not been agreed to, but the intent is clear on our part and I know the Member of Parliament, as well. I mean, he’s focused the attention on the borrowing limit but our process is on a government-to-government basis with the federal Finance department and we anticipate, and the Minister of Finance anticipates, that our discussions will be concluded far before the Private Member’s Bill runs its course.
I’ll ask Ms. Melhorn to speak to the shared services issues. Thank you.