Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, indeed, that information would be welcome. For a moment, let's switch over to community justice committees. Can the department give us an update on the status of community justice committees? Are there or have there been any that are established? Maybe a bit of a brief update on what the success, if any, has been of these panels as it relates to a means to reduce the amount of pressure put on the court system and to promote the restorative model of justice. Can we get an update from the department? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Minister Sebert.

Mr. Chair, in 2016-17, 29 communities have accessed funding for restorative justice programs. There are a few communities that have not. Certainly, I can speak for my former community that the community justice group or panel was very active in the community. Sometimes it is hard to find members who are willing to put in the time that is required. Again, of course, our department wants to develop community-based solutions for minor criminal offences. As I mentioned earlier, a good number of matters are diverted, and this is the ideal type of organization to assist in that method of dealing with minor criminal matters without the necessity of taking them to court. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Vanthuyne.

I agree with the Minister that it is certainly a good means to divert a lot from the formal court system and alleviate pressure on the court system. I am still not hearing from the Minister as to what the success might be. Is the structure of the community justice committees in place? Is there information that the department can share with us to let us know which ones are in place and are actually having an effect on a restorative model of justice? Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is all I have.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Minister Sebert.

Mr. Chair, as I mentioned earlier, 29 communities do have restorative justice programs. I would like to feel that they are all successful. I suppose it depends somewhat on the commitment of those who are sitting on these committees. I mean, success, I suppose, is somewhat hard to judge. I do know, speaking from the community that I represent, that a great number of matters were diverted from the court system. It does, however, take dedicated members to sit on the restorative justice committee. So, overall, I would say the program is a success. I suppose it works better in some communities than others. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Further questions? Seeing no further questions or comments from committee, please turn to page 274, Justice, policing services, operations expenditure summary, total activity, $42,804,000. Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. We will now proceed to the next activity, services to government. The activity description is found on page 275. The activity detail is on page 276, and related information items are found on pages 277 and 278. I remind committee to specify the page on which the items you are referring to can be found. Does committee have any questions or comments? Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am wondering, under the line legislation division, there is a decrease from the revised estimates to this year's. Could the Minister explain what accounts for that variance? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Sebert.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I understand that the decline is related to the reduced amount of work required for devolution-related issues. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Would those devolution-related issues be related to legislative drafting? I am wondering if the Minister can provide details. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Deputy Minister Goldney.

Thank you, Deputy Minister Goldney. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, just to be clear, this variance is: we are losing legislative capacity that the department now considers unnecessary to complete our current legislative agenda. Is that correct? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Sebert.

I understand, really, we are talking about one legislative counsel and one administrative assistant, and so I suppose that there is some loss of capacity, but there is less work. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to confirm the other part of my question, it is in the Minister's opinion that this will not impact this Assembly's ability to deliver on its legislative agenda? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Sebert.