Thank you, Minister Schumann. Any further questions, Mr. Nakimayak?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a general comment. I appreciate the work that the department's doing to collaborate with Aboriginal groups on conservation. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Nakimayak. Committee, any further questions on page 79? Environment and Natural Resources, departmental total $90,315,000, are we agreed?

Thank you, Committee. Thank you, Minister, and thanks to your witnesses for appearing before us. Sergeant-at- Arms, please escort the witnesses from the chamber. Thank you.

We'll begin with consideration of the Department of Health. I'll turn to the Minister responsible for the Department for opening comments.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm pleased to present the 2016-2017 Main Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services. The total proposed budget for the department is $414,234,000. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $7.3 million or 1.8 per cent over the 2015-2016 Main Estimates. These estimates continue to support the objective of limiting expenditure growth in order to sustain the long-term sustainability of the fiscal framework.

Highlights of the proposed budget include:

● forced growth of $12.9 million;

● subsets of $9 million;

● funding for initiatives totalling $5.3 million;

● reductions of just under $2 million.

The proposed Department of Health and Social Services estimates continue to support the priorities of the 18thLegislative Assembly, to support the priority of making strategic investments in transportation infrastructure and workforce development and utilizing partnerships with northern and Aboriginal businesses. The budget includes $1.9 million for the new Hay River Regional Health Centre set to open on June 11, 2016.

I am pleased that the budget also includes proposed funding of $501,000 to implement the new Mental Health Act. This act will support the Legislative Assembly's priority of focusing on mental health and addictions by ensuring that services are delivered locally with culturally appropriate methods. Finally, $1.1 million in new funding is proposed for the operation of the new wing of the Jimmy Erasmus Seniors Home in Behchoko. Mr. Chair, that concludes my opening remarks.

Thank you, Minister. Recognizing Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Committee, there's a motion before us. The motion is non-debatable. Question's been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is passed.

---Carried

We'll now rise and report progress. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

Masi. May I have the report, Member for Mackenzie Delta?

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 50-18(2), Main Estimates 2016-2017 and, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Masi. Do we have a seconder? Member for Hay River South. Motion's in order. To the motion. Question's been called. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

Masi. Item 23, Third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Masi, Mr. Clerk. This House adjourns until Monday, June 13th, at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 5:06 p.m.