Bob Bromley

I recognize that we’re dealing with a real specific here, but in asking for approval of specifics, of course, we need to do that within the context of the larger questions. I appreciate the Minister’s commitments here. I guess I would like to point out that committee has been promised a number of times for a human resources plan in association with this transfer back, and yet here we are approving something without this plan in hand so that we can have the important context with which to approve or deny these expenditures. I will leave it at that and just ask that the Minister does pursue this...

That helps the explanation. So will there be feedback, then, to retailers of goods and services that indicates the government’s perspectives based on those price surveys?

I move that consideration of Tabled Document 98-16(5), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2009-2010, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 98-16(5) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This section deals with the increased costs incurred by the Department of Human Resources to address the backlog and that has been a long-standing concern of the House. I’m wondering where are we at in addressing the backlog in the Department of Human Resources and can we anticipate further costs and further our actions in place to prevent a similar huge backlog accumulating again. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the mover of the motion, I will offer remarks on the need to make this call on the federal government for preservation of the full, long-form census data collection.

Accurate, reliable and detailed data is essential to this government’s ability to develop policies and programs and, very importantly, to evaluate whether our programs are having the best results. Long-form data is essential to the continuing improvement of our services. The information obtained through the long-form census is essential to the well-being of our citizens.

As the motion points out, the...

There are clearly different perspectives on how much information analysis has been provided towards the consideration of the proposal put forward. So putting that aside, Mr. Speaker, I’m asking the Minister if she will commit to providing thorough and transparent analyses whenever she’s bringing forward proposals for consideration of committee. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Not surprisingly, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. I’d like to start by again thanking the Minister and Cabinet for moving forward in this way. I think they’ve heard the people, and this is democracy in action. I’d like to start by saying this whole process has been like crossing a wide and dry desert and finally having a glass of tall, cool water offered by the Minister here. So it is greatly appreciated. But this is relief that needs to get out there to all as the first step. There’s an anxious and traumatized public awaiting relief...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I applaud the government’s reconsideration of changes to the Supplementary Health Benefits Program. The Minister shows, with this action, that she has listened and respected the clear voice of democracy and has benefited from the input of Members and the public in reaching a wise decision. The response of the government shows that the detailed input of Members and the public has been, and will be, taken into account. The announcement of the requirement for third-party insurance where it is available, measures to ensure parity between the emergency health benefits of...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A couple of quick questions here. On this one, I just want to confirm that a wood pellet densification unit is a device for manufacturing wood pellets. Is that correct?

Mr. Chairman, that is good news indeed. I understand it allows the planning. You have to reserve space for shipping and do the planning for ordering and so on. Does it allow negotiation of contracts for construction? Thank you.