Robert C. McLeod

Yes, I do, Mr. Chair. The interim estimates is requesting appropriation authority of $518 million in operations expenditures for the interim period of April 1 to June 30, 2016. These interim estimates provide the necessary resources for the government to operate in the first three months of the 2016-2017 fiscal year. The 2016-2017 Main Estimates, or full budget, will be presented during the May/June sitting of the Legislative Assembly, at which these interim estimates would be superseded. Departments are required to develop their 2016-2017 interim estimates based on a status quo 2015-2016...

As Mr. Blake would say, nice try.

---Laughter

No, this is just an interim appropriation. We still have the business planning process to go through and then we will work with committee, get feedback from committee, as we develop our main estimates that will be tabled in May/June. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, this interim budget is business as usual. We have the process of the business planning review and the main estimates budget that's going to be tabled in May/June. But for the exercise we're going through today it is business as usual. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. For the interim, PWS has identified $2,920,000 to be spent.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we will engage with Queen's University, who are helping us do the work on the guidelines. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Member's correct. There is funding to keep the current staff complement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my understanding is what's included in here is our contract with the RCMP, and rent may be included in that, but we'd have to confirm that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, for that I would like to go to Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Yes, I would, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We can provide that. Thank you.