Thank you, Mr. Chair. This wasn’t actually an area that was identified as a priority during the Caucus discussions for the 17th Legislative Assembly. We do have a number of priorities we’re working on and, unfortunately, the department doesn’t have the surge capacity, and there are no positions without assigned duties. Everybody within the department has got a number of assigned duties. The department has some allocation for unanticipated contract work but this, obviously, is minimal. Delivering on the department’s ambitious strategic plan with proposed timelines requires full use of the department’s resources, including our staff, who are our most valuable resource.
Inevitably, new projects arise, and I understand the Members recently have indicated that they would like us to move on supplementary health benefits for the working poor. This is additional work in the department. I think this is something that does need to be done. There was a lot of discussion in the 16th Legislative Assembly, and I still think there’s room
for some significant improvements. We know, based on some estimates that were done, that the projected cost for coverage for the working poor through supplementary health benefits is going to be estimated to be about $4.3 million. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be done and work doesn’t need to be done around this area, but my recommendation is that we include this in our transition planning and make it a priority for the 18th Legislative Assembly.