Kevin O'Reilly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That's good to hear, and I thank the Minister for his response. I just want to confirm that there's also funding in the first quarter for work to be done on the guidelines of the Minister mentioned in the House, if that wasn’t earlier this week it was last week. I believe that the department is preparing some guidelines. Is there funding in the first quarter for some work on the guidelines? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I presume that's December 31, 2016, then, just end of year. We're talking about a bunch of different years here, so I just want to nail down that end date for this particular program. Thanks.

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and I appreciate the Minister's answer, and I'm satisfied with that. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Now that is starting to make some sense for me. Finally, to close it off then, we are not looking at any substantive change between what we spent in 2015-2016 in the first quarter for income assistance and student financial assistance as opposed to what is being proposed in 2016-2017. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I’m not sure I am getting my question across the best way I can then, perhaps. For income assistance, student financial assistance, what are the proportions of the total spending that we are looking at in the first quarter? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I appreciate the assurance then that the Minster has provided, that there's no changes or cuts that are being proposed to energy efficiency and conservation programs from the department. Maybe just one general comment if I may, that next time we have interim appropriations, which may not be for another four years, past my life, or all of our collective lives, that if there are significant variations that fall below the 25 per cent, it would be helpful to get those explanations provided to committee. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Earlier we heard from the Minister’s opening remarks that this is a status quo arrangement for the first quarter of 2016-2017. I just want to ask, for ECE, for where income security programs are located. The Minister also mentioned that, on average, the first quarter spending for each of the departments is about 31 per cent, but can the Minister tell me whether income security is at that level or if there is any variance there. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess what I'm trying to sort out here is that we're not looking at making any cuts to energy conservation, energy efficiency programs that are offered through Arctic Energy Alliance or even our own internal programs for energy efficiency within the government in the first quarter. I just want to get that assurance from the Minister. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Premier again for his response. It sounds like climate change is going to be a major theme at this First Ministers’ conference. I wonder if the Premier could make a commitment to report back to the Regular Members about what happens that the important meeting, and perhaps table a report in the House.

Thanks, and I want to thank the Minister for his response and I would encourage the department that when they do reach out to talk to the mineral industry about these guidelines that they be inclusive and include other interests including Aboriginal governments, environmental organizations, and so on. Thank you. I look forward to getting the information from the Minister.