Thanks, Mr. Chair. I have a couple of questions or lines of questioning here. The first one is: in the business plan, there are some reductions shown for a program, management and pre-suppression, reduce number of helicopters for pre-suppression. There's a reduction of $155,000 and then eliminate one helicopter contract for $469,000. Can someone explain what these reductions are all about and how that's going to affect our capacity to do pre-suppression work? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we feel that it doesn't affect our capacity to deliver on our programs. On the $469,000, the re-election to eliminate one helicopter contract was based on historical fire behaviour, and the department proposed to reduce the rotary wing contract in one of the regions.

The $155,000 was decreasing the number of helicopters in pre-suppression to rotary wing contracts, which was to reduce the hours from 250 to 150. In addition, for the two contracts, it would reduce hours from 250 to 200. Should any additional rotary wing aircraft be required, they will be contracted on an as-and-when-needed basis. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If we have to go and contract additional time on an as-required basis, presumably that would be a higher per-hour rate. Is that true? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

No, it's not true, Mr. Chair. My understanding is it's the same rate.

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

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Maybe can the Minister elaborate a little bit more on the rationale for these cuts? I just want to understand. These are long-standing contracts. The time was never used before, so that's why the cuts are being made or what is the rationale? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Dr. Dragon.

Thank you, Dr. Dragon. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I guess we'd just have to see how this rolls out. On the same page in the business plan, there's this ominous line that reads, "ENR to return to Financial Management Board with alternate reductions of $500,000 in each of 2018-2019 and 2019-2020." That seems to have been deferred back by a year. Can someone tell me what that is all about? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Ms. Craig.

Thank you, Ms. Craig. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, that's what I was most worried about. These reductions are not necessarily going to be confined to forest management. They might be made elsewhere within the department. Is that what I heard? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

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

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, I'm quite concerned about further reductions in other parts of the department. I don't want to have to go back and re-live what happened with our discussion in corporate management and how I don't believe the department has the capacity to carry out what it's trying to do.

Look, does the Minister of Finance, as well? Is this something that he can take to the Financial Management Board and get them to just leave this extra $1 million reduction for ENR so that they can get the work done that's required? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the Member not wanting to rehash the discussion we had under corporate management. As we start developing the next business plans, we'll come forward with some options we'll have prepared before committee. Committee will obviously make their concerns known, but we'll work on trying to come up with a solution that should work for all. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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