Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures) No. 4, 2017-2018. This document provides for an increase of $29.2 million to the operations budget.
Major items in the supplementary estimates include:
- $20.7 million for demand-driven, non-discretionary items such as out-of-territory hospitals and physicians, extended health benefits and Metis health benefits, and the Residential Southern Placement Program;
- $959,000 to provide for the Hay River Health and Social Services Authorities' pension plan, and $181,000 to provide increased contribution funding to AVENS - A Community for Seniors;
- $2.8 million for projected costs in the Income Assistance program;
- $2 million for activities under the Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. These expenditures are fully offset by revenues from the Government of Canada;
- $1.7 million for compensation increases, replacement vehicles, and new mandatory equipment for the RCMP, G Division; and
- $857,000 for increased grant-in-lieu payments to Municipal Taxation Authorities under the Grants in Lieu of Property Taxation Policy.
That concludes my opening remarks, Mr. Chair. I am prepared to respond to committee's questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.