Masi. Bill 8 has had first reading.

---Carried

Masi. First reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 50-18(2) with Member for Hay River North in the chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 50-18(2), Main Estimates, 2016-2017, and we'd like to continue consideration of Municipal and Community Affairs to Legislative Assembly and Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does committee agree?

We will begin with our consideration of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. We had opening remarks yesterday, so would the Minister like to bring witnesses into the Chamber? Minister McLeod.

Yes, I would, Mr. Chair.

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Minister, would you please introduce your witnesses.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I have with me today to my left Mr. Tom Williams, the deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. To my immediate right I have Ms. Eleanor Young who is the assistant deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. To my far right I have Mr. Gary Schauerte who is our director of corporate services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Municipal and Community Affairs begins on page 319, that's the department total. As usual, we'll defer this page until we consider the detail. We'll begin with the detail on page 320, revenue summary. I'll give committee a moment. Are there any questions? Questions on page 320? Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. There's a number of fees that the department collects through licences and so on, are those reviewed on an annual basis and do we compare ourselves to other jurisdictions as well? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We do review these fees annually. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. The Minister answered the question about the annual review part but how do we compare against other jurisdictions in terms of our fees and licence payments and so on? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we review them annually. I might ask Mr. Schauerte to expand on how the review takes place. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Schauerte.

Thank you, Mr. Schauerte. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the response from the department. So the cost recovery is a consideration. Do we look at what other jurisdictions charge for these services as well? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Member is correct. We do look at what other jurisdictions charge. Mr. Schauerte pointed out that there is a bit of a cost recovery. If Members are interested, I am sure we can provide a document that compares our fees to other jurisdictions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.