Jane Groenewegen

I will call the committee back to order. We are on Bill 1, Appropriation Act, 2004-2005. Are there any general comments with respect to the appropriation act? Does the committee agree then that we proceed with the Department of Finance?

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Roland.

Does the committee agree that we will commence with that order after a short break?

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Next on my list I have Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think we have a tendency sometimes to look for big-tickets items, items that are in the hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars where we can save money. I think where our constituents and people in the public service could help us is in areas involving smaller amounts and smaller adjustments where the impacts won't be felt as greatly, but added all together they would make a significant difference, as well. That's why I think it's important to have some mechanism set up where these kinds of suggestions can be channelled and properly considered...

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of our constituents, who are the beneficiaries of this particular programming, I would like to have the Minister’s assurance that the level of service is not going to be diminished or affected by these shortfalls and by the lack of response from the federal government. I’d like to know from the Minister, as well, does he see any other scenario? We’ve heard about the possibility of these services being delivered, the money flowing through, for example, the aboriginal governments as opposed to this government. Would he see that as any solution to...