Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Minister Roland. At this time, I would like to ask the committee that oversees the Department of Finance if they have any comments. Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Could I just remind Members that they are to address the questions through the Chair and not directly to the Minister in the form of a direct question. We are all new; don’t worry, I just wanted to mention that. It is a bit of a strange process, but it is what we do. Mr. Roland.

I will call the committee back to order. We are on Bill 1, Appropriation Act, 2004-2005. Are there any general comments with respect to the appropriation act? Does the committee agree then that we proceed with the Department of Finance?

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Roland.

Does the committee agree that we will commence with that order after a short break?

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Next on my list I have Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think we have a tendency sometimes to look for big-tickets items, items that are in the hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars where we can save money. I think where our constituents and people in the public service could help us is in areas involving smaller amounts and smaller adjustments where the impacts won't be felt as greatly, but added all together they would make a significant difference, as well. That's why I think it's important to have some mechanism set up where these kinds of suggestions can be channelled and properly considered...