Shane Thompson

I thank the Minister for that. However, I guess my question is: how come this information wasn't brought to our attention previously? One of the positions was cut; now this is the first time I'm seeing it and I'm seeing it in the business plans here. The information we're getting about cuts, are they only full-time positions? Is that the information, and that half-time positions are just showing up? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I guess can the Minister, deputy minister, explain how long it took to implement the system, because when I look at the actuals, it's $1.146 million, and the revised budget for 2015-16 is $1.143 million, so it was a $3,000 reduction compared to the year before, but it is what the main estimate was: $747,000. It was almost a $400,000 increase. It concerns me that there was a revised budget, and they had revised estimates later on. Could they explain if it was a process this system is now done and it was over two years, or what is that contract services all about then? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Just to clarify, this is the federal funding and is it dollar for dollar or is it 50/50? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I notice that there's a reduction in another position at Dehcho. Please explain what position this was. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, I think I am a little ahead on the schedule. This is corporate management. I can look at the policy and I guess I will deal with the regional education authorities and stuff like that. Thanks, Mr. Minister, for that answer, and I have actually seen some of that work done in our region, so I thank the department for doing that and continue to support doing that. In regards to contract services, I noticed a huge decrease in the budget. What's the rationale for that? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I agree to ask more questions. In regards to your fees and payments, I notice a reduction, almost a 60 per cent reduction, in your amount of money here. What is the rationale for that?

I agree to ask a question. The Ministers talked about the assistant deputy minister being removed, was this part of the cost reductions or is this part of retirement or what was it? Was it planned or not planned? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the Minister for the well thought out and well-planned answer. All that information, I am well aware of. I understand the progressive funding out there and the department does a really good job. However, I would really, really love to see this government work, and you take the lead, that the other departments actually have a number in place, and we have the money put aside so that we can hire our summer students so when they come back, they are guaranteed work, so they can continue to go on to school. I understand that through ECE, we have an increase in funding...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess then historical, but the head increase was $86,000 previous years, revised and main, so how is it historical if this was the main… like the budget? Just I'm a little confused in this matter. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We're good.