Michael Miltenberger

Mr. Speaker, the anthrax outbreak this summer in the Mackenzie Bison Range was the largest we have experienced in Northern Canada.

At least one-third of the Mackenzie wood bison herd was lost and included bulls, cows and calves.

The outbreak was discovered during a routine surveillance flight on July 3rd when 128 carcasses were found at Mills Lake. The Anthrax Emergency Response Plan was activated as soon as these carcasses were found. An enhanced surveillance program was implemented and all carcasses were identified and treated by incineration and/or chemical disinfection in accordance with...

Other than I think it was referred to as destructive testing to find out what was actually there, that was referenced yesterday, this is the only work that has been done in terms of the demolition and remediation. Thank you.

There has been, speaking as the former Health Minister, an ongoing struggle with the authorities and deficits. Clearly, as they go through their operations items like this, program areas like this that are unfunded and the authority can no longer afford to carry that without incurring a deficit are coming to light and being identified, and we’re coming forward to clear them off. The same as we’ve done with some of the costs, if I refer back to the Stanton issue, as well, with their dietary, laundry, and those types of service areas.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The money would be lapsed and returned to the government coffers.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In order to maybe try to provide clarity, if I could just point out the information that we have, the existing base budget for the Charlotte Vehus was $842,000. They put out a bid for a contract that came in at $1.459 million. That contract was awarded. The amount of money they had in that program area, $842,000, a gap of $547,000 that has been recognized as a base deficiency, and we are here to seek funding. Currently, there has been an adjustment to 2013-2014. Up until now the authority has been absorbing that cost and running a deficit which is no longer sustainable...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have with me the deputy minister of Finance, Mr. Aumond; and the assistant deputy minister of Finance and deputy secretary to the FMB, Sandy Kalgutkar.

Yes, as we pointed out, there has been a base adjustment, a target adjustment of $850,000 to the ’13-14 budget.

Yes, Madam Chair. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2012-2013.

This document outlines an increase of $20.928 million in operations expenditures for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The major items included in the supplementary estimates are:

$13.8 million to report two special warrants approved on July 31, 2012, and August 17, 2012, for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the increased costs being incurred due to the severe forest fire season in 2012;

$4.4 million to report a special warrant approved on August 17, 2012, for the Department...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The money is a target adjustment to the budget that reflects an underfunding situation for this contract that has been there for some time that has helped contribute, as the Minister of Health and Social Services pointed out, to the significant current deficit of the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority. This is recognition of that gap, that deficit in their base funding.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 14, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2013-2014, be read for the first time. Thank you.