Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just for my clarity please, if the Minister would, is it the intention of his department to proceed with the human resources style public commission office? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I didn't hear the last couple words of the Minister there, even though I have the earpiece. Maybe he can answer it as I ask this. Does the Department of Finance recognize in any way that value of the returned bottles to the depots, whether they're crushed, shredded or other means? Do they recognize that in the contract, whereas the depot may be setting themselves for a refund? Therefore, they would be receiving, quite potentially as I see it, four cents for each bottle or can, plus the value of cashing them in at a southern location through that recycling process....

Thank you, Madam Chair. Then at this time, maybe if the Minister will walk us through it just quickly. Specifically, I'm more so interested in what happens, how the agreement works out with regard to the refunding process, who retains ownership of the bottles once they have been refunded, and is that built into the contract fee with the vendor who does the return of the bottle process. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Then at this time I'll ask the honourable Member if he will provide a briefing note to all Members. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday in the budget address there was a line item of $300,000 directed at assisting land-use planning studies, new technical investigations and other items related to development. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister of Finance is when will tax-based communities receive similar treatment? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if I may draw your attention to page 4 of the budget address, there’s a quote in there that says current projections show this virtually unchanged at $70 million. That refers to our deficit. Now it also points out, going a little further into the quote, it says, from the Finance Minister yesterday, we project a $46 million operating deficit for 2004-2005 and that was with some very classy intervention with raising some taxes, creating some revenues, finding some money. But the obvious question that has caused me some concern is, has the Finance Minister...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm going to apologize for this one because it could because it has been a long day, but I don't think I quite understood the answer. Like I said, I stress it could be because it's a long day. Are they getting a fee for service and the bottles are being left within as an incidental? For example, are they able to do what they wish with the bottles, or is that incorporated in the fee for service? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That's good news. Who maintains ownership of the bottles once the money has been refunded? Who retains ownership once the bottles are returned for money? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Referring to page 3-20 under other income, $180,000, we see quite a substantial change. Could the Minister supply me with some information on a breakdown in that regard? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I notice three-and-a-half minutes of my time was lost there by hearing that that money is being allocated to health, education and municipal areas. We didn’t get any comments on what some of the low priorities were. While I am at the mike, I would also like to get some of those examples and references rather than just programs. The honourable Minister references that a five percent cut hasn’t been restored. We are arguing that we want $18 million of the five percent. I think he knows what I am referring to. Is there any indication that our government is being led on...