Michael Miltenberger

I’d just like to point out that it’s two different bargaining units, but all the program standards, all the other health programs and criteria are all consistent. The issue comes back very simply to, especially given the current recession and the circumstance we have been managing our money, of not having the… If we had $11 million free that we could do things with, would this be the issue that we would all collectively agree, of all the list of things we have to do, that this is where we want to put the money? So the issue comes back to having the availability of the necessary resources...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The information I have indicates this was a two-phase project. They’re into the second phase. I’d have to commit to get that detail of exactly the condition, what happened that contributed to the money being required for the flooring, but they’re into the second phase of completing the project. So I’ll commit to get that information. Thank you.

With your indulgence again, I’d ask Minister Michael McLeod to speak to the broader system of capital planning through Public Works and Services.

From a program point of view, there are benefits to having everybody under one bargaining unit. From a fiscal perspective, our estimates are that it would cost in the neighbourhood of up to $11 million additional to transfer all the employees into the bargaining unit and deal with all the related issues such as pensions and superannuation. Thank you.

I’ll refer that question to Minister Michael McLeod.

With your indulgence, once again, I’d like to refer this question to Minister Robert C. McLeod. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Margaret Melhorn, deputy minister of Finance; Sandy Kalgutkar, deputy secretary to the FMB. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, just to point out that we are carrying over lapsed funds from one year to the next, but the issue of the project updates I will refer that to Minister Michael McLeod in terms of a commitment to or is there a request made for information on all of the projects referred to, with your indulgence. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I understand the question correctly, I just want to reassure the Member that the process we have in terms of flowing money to communities, gas tax money or stimulus money, is done according to an agreed to formula and process and we’ve honoured that and continue to honour that. Unless the Member can give me a specific example, I’m not clear how to respond to this from a point any further than that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates No. 1, 2010-2011 (Operations Expenditures). This document outlines an increase of $3.274 million in operations expenditures for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

The major items in this supplementary request include:

$1.093 million for the additional costs to be incurred as a result of the collective agreement between the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

$1 million for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to fund the Aquatic Ecosystems Research Partnership Program...