Thank you, Mr. Chair. So the priority for Public Works and Services has really been in the thermal communities because of the huge costs of transportation costs to get diesel into the communities so that they can function. But with the new energy plan that we'll be looking at we are considering assets for the southern communities as well. So I'm not committing to anything, but the new energy

plan we'll be looking at things, for example, soliciting; is it viable to solicit the federal government to get an extra run from the Taltson. You know, those kinds of things will be reviewed within the energy plan and we will be looking at all alternative energies for all communities during that planning process. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No further questions.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Any other questions from committee on page 377, department total? Seeing none. I'll call the page. Public Works and Services, department total, $119,711,000. Agreed?

Does Committee agree we have completed consideration of Public Works and Services?

Thank you, committee. Thank you to the Minister and your witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, please remove the witnesses from the Chamber. As we agreed, we will begin consideration of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. I turn to the Minister responsible for the department for opening comments. Minister McLeod, your opening comments.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I am pleased to present the 2016-2017 main estimates for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Overall, the department’s estimates propose an increase of $723,000, or less than one per cent over the 2015-16 main estimates. These estimates continue to support the objectives of limiting expenditure growth in order to sustain the long-term sustainability of the fiscal framework.

Highlights of the proposed estimates include

● $1.578 million in reductions that the department was able to find without reducing core funding to community governments; and

● $2.301 million in forced growth increases, primarily to support the increased cost of operations and maintenance, and water and sewer delivery at the community government level.

The proposed Department of Municipal and Community Affairs estimates continue to support the priorities of the 18thLegislative Assembly. Specific activities in support of these priorities include the continued implementation of the Accountability Framework for Community Governments. The Accountability Framework allows the department to more accurately identify supports required by community governments and to take steps to put those supports in place. The first Accountability Framework Annual Report will be tabled during this session of the Legislative Assembly.

MACA will work with 10 community governments as part of a pilot program to install and launch computerized maintenance and asset management systems; remote monitoring systems will be installed in two additional communities, and opportunities for additional systems are being investigated; building local capacity for careers that focus on community governance through the development and delivery of on-line training for community government staff and elected officials. That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. The Chair recognizes Mr. Beaulieu.

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

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Motion is on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. I will now rise and report progress.

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 50-18(2): main estimates 2016-2017 and would like to report progress. And, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Masi. Do I have a seconder? Member for Deh Cho. Motion is in order. To the motion. Question's been called. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

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

Masi, Mr. Clerk. This House adjourns until Friday, June 24, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.

---ADJOURNMENT