Michael Miltenberger

We have, as a government, been looking at every avenue to try to come to a satisfactory resolution, a compromise that would address both the court order and in some cases look at the surplus in school space that is an issue in some communities, but at the end of the day this issue will be resolved.

There would be a request coming forward to the FMB through either Justice or Education, or in this case maybe Public Works. If it’s a capital requirement to meet those obligations then we’d be making those decisions based on those recommendations.

It’s difficult to just say yes or no to an extensive array of questions the Member just presented. What I will say is this with regard to his last question, if there is an interest from committee, we’re going to be starting the business planning cycle for the next budget year, ’15-16, and if it is the wish of committee, we would be willing to fully discuss and review whatever policies any committee wants to during that process. Thank you.

In fact, there were changes in the last government, I believe. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Across the country, the health costs are going up on an annual basis. In some cases, it’s a modest amount, a few percent. In many cases it is 6 to 9 percent. Yes, as this supp indicates, these costs pressures are consistent and inexorable. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2012-13. This document outlines an increase of $3.794 million in operations expenditures for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

The supplementary estimates consist of one item of $3.794 million for the Department of Health and Social Services for operating costs that exceeded the department’s appropriation authority as reflected in the 2012-13 Public Accounts.

I am prepared to review the details of the supplementary estimates document. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have asked the deputy to provide the information to why it came forward as a supp this year but, yes, next year it will be built in and won’t come forward as a supp, but with your indulgence, Mr. Chairman.

I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2014-2015. This document provides for a decrease of $542,000 to the capital budget.

The more significant items in this supplementary estimates include:

$1.418 million for the Department of Public Works and Services to facilitate tenant improvements required with the transfer of federal office space and 259 positions being devolved to the GNWT related to devolution implementation. The net impact on government operations is nil as these costs will be offset by funding received from the federal government.

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If there are improvements in the process that are needed, then we would, of course, look for those. But standard practice is the Department of Finance brings forward the request and it’s the Legislature that disposes and it’s the Speaker that requests, all we do is incorporate it into the budget. We don’t question it, we don’t defend it, we just process and bring the request to this House. So, we will get the information that was requested. Thank you.

Yes, Mr. Chairman, the project is. Thank you.