Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks.

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That’ s it for me on this. Obviously, I’m not very happy with our failure to act on this a little more quickly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I don’t want to prolong this, but when are we going to get this Federal Engagement Strategy and why does that have to wait for the Minister to write to his federal counterpart? I don’t understand what the problem is in picking up a piece of paper and a pen and writing to the Minister saying that we want this resolved, and even doing it in collaboration with other health Ministers. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the work that is going to be done this year. I am wondering about the next couple of years after that. Is there a longer term plan or commitment from the department to continue to expand the hydrometric network? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

No. I do want to thank the Minister for that reassurance. If it’s just re-commencing where we left off, I’m more comfortable with it. I think that invitation from committee is probably on its way, may be on its way already, so I’ll look forward to getting that briefing. Thanks, Mr. Chair. One other question about this in general though, if I may. As part of this package on the conservation network action plan… I think that’s what… I don’t know if I got the title right. As part of that package, I guess we’re looking at having an overall strategy for conservation areas throughout the Northwest...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I did have a question on the page. I just couldn’t see where it could get raised anywhere else. Water regulatory line, under program detail, there is fairly significant reduction there of $200,000. I think that is money for the department to get engaged or involved in water licensing. I note that the Jade Project is likely to enter into water licensing during this financial year, so I just want to make sure that we actually have the capacity and the capability to continue to engage in that and a number of other water licensing proceedings. Can the team explain the reduction...

I don’t think so. Maybe I can just ask for a general comment. There’s sort of big changes from 2015-16 to 2016-17. Presumably these are the result of the end of a research program, a funding arrangement, that sort of thing. I just want a general answer from the department. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. The Water Strategy Action Plan, there is a reduction there of… I am not going to try to do the math in my head. $116,000 my colleague tells me. What is the reason for that reduction? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

No. Thanks, Mr. Chair. Other than to say this is a great program. I was involved with it for a decade and really appreciate the work of the department and the staff on this one, so thanks.