Thank you, Mr. Hagen. Minister, you'd like to add something?

Yes, Mr. Chair, I would like to add something. I think that when we see amalgamations, whether they're governmental or corporate, there is almost always a rationalization of positions. Hopefully, this is not on a fact-based basis and we believe that to have been the case here. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Mr. McNeely.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have nothing further on this chapter. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Seeing nothing further I will call the department. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to come back to efficiencies and working with it. Now, I am not totally familiar with this world, so bear with me. My understanding is that the water and land boards are together and so they deal with lands and they deal with water together, so why is this government having Lands over here and water in ENR? Why is it separated? We don't have the efficiency. The boards seem to be efficient, and we, as government, seem to be less efficient, so can the Minister explain that, the rationale for this? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am not certain of all of the consideration that went into the manner in which the two functions were divided, but I am very pleased to hear that Members are interested in us having the department act more efficiently. As I say, it certainly could be a matter for consideration in the future, that these two functions be combined. Further to that, I have really nothing to add except, as I say, I am very glad to see the Members are interested in efficiencies. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for his answer. Yes, I really support efficiencies. However, I am sitting here looking at Lands and Water, which are two separate things. It is great that we are looking at the future. Will the Minister make a commitment to work with the Minister of ENR and the Premier to actually make this more efficient within this fiscal year, the year that we are looking at, 2017-18, so that, when we come to the 2018-19 budget, we will actually see more efficiencies in making it work better? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.

Mr. Chair, I think I can speak for this government in saying that we are always attempting to make our operations more efficient. As everyone is well aware, we are combining other departments to make them more efficient. That, in itself, is a large change in the manner in which we do business. I don't know whether we could consider within the next year whether we should combine these functions of water and lands, but, certainly, it probably should be considered in the future. I think, frankly, for this year, as far as amalgamating departments, we already have enough on our plate. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for his answer. You, the government, have come to us with amalgamations. You guys are the ones who put this stuff on the plate, and you are talking about efficiencies. What I am saying is I am not asking you to do it this fiscal year because you've already got the amalgamations going, but I am talking about next fiscal year. That gives you a year to work on this. Will you work with the Minister of ENR, the Premier, and the Finance Minister to look at this and come back to committee to make a decision? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.

Mr. Chair, I think all of us realize the potential wisdom of making the government, our department, more efficient, and I think that I am prepared to discuss this matter with other Ministers, what has been suggested today and does seem to be make sense. As I say, we are always interested in making the government more efficient. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Would the Minister of ENR like to comment?

Well, the light is on. I may as well. I get five minutes. I think the Minister of Lands pointed out before, we will have the discussion. We have heard the Member's concern, and we will have that discussion amongst our Cabinet colleagues to see if there is merit in that, first of all, if it will streamline things and make it more efficient. I mean, we will have to have that discussion, but we take the Member's point.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you. I thank both Ministers. I appreciate that answer. I guess my next thing is: when you talk about it, can it be evidence-based? It has to be zero-based budgeting and evidence-based. Just don't throw things together, but do it as evidence-based. I would hope that the departments would look at that as evidence-based and bring forward a good solution. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Would the Minister like to comment?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to think that all of our decisions are evidence-based. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Anything further? Mr. Thompson.

No, I am good. Thank you, Mr. Chair.