Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one small question under this area, and then two motions that I’d like to move. My question, Mr. Chairman, has to do with the waiving of…We’re still on page 9-17, right?

Thank you very much. Then under this section on this page, could I get the Minister to give us figures on other categories, materials and services, contract services, purchased services I believe, and fees and payments if there are any, and computer software and hardware? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the Minister of Finance and it’s with regard to his statement this afternoon about the federal budget. Mr. Speaker, from the information that we have been provided with, it is my understanding that our government will be receiving $7.5 million next year extra, but there’s more in the next five years that amounts to about $74.4 million. On top of that, we’re getting a one-time break of $50 million, which by my calculations is about $124 million. Could the Minister advise as to whether or not this is new money? I understand, at least not the $50...

I am not going to try to do the Minister’s job, but could it be just forced growth from salary increases that are part of the collective bargaining and not as a result of overall growth in student numbers? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know that we are dealing with a level of details that we have not gone through before. I understand that, but what I am noticing now from the Minister’s answers is that the way the department reports these figures is quite different. So far we have had, I don’t know how many departments now, all of the other expenses were broken up with travel and transportation first, then material and supplies, and then contract services, purchased services, then often you would have another other expenses that would have a sub-breakdown. Whereas, the department here is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I should take a few moments to offer some response to the federal budget delivered by the federal Minister of Finance, Hon. Ralph Goodale. Mr. Speaker, as is the case with all government budgets, the devil is always in the details; I do appreciate Mr. Roland for providing some and I look forward to getting more into the details in the days to come. Nevertheless, I do like what I am hearing in the budget.

Mr. Speaker, most importantly, I believe we can say that the North is now definitely on the radar screen of the people who control our purse strings in Ottawa...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Earlier the Minister indicated that the enrolment figures are in and he’s seen an increase. Could we get some more information on that, please? Thank you.

Thank you. Just a small follow-up to that question. I asked the Minister if he could tell us what professions this assessment applies to, but I am thinking it might be a really extensive list. I will rephrase that and ask if this assessment program that we have contracted with Alberta is subject to consent by professions. For example, the engineering society here, or architectural society or medical or law society, they have to agree to be part of this program, that it is not a blanketed application to all professions.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Could I just ask the Minister to consider my statement here as somewhat of a notice of the situation that's going on with NACC? I know the Minister is also well aware of the situation, and I am sure the NACC representatives would be making some sort of formal proposal. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't ask the Minister to take a look at the proposal and give it good consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It seems like there is a pretty solid wall there, and I'm not sure if I could break through that at this setting. But I think I have to make a note of the fact that while what the Minister is saying makes sense in terms of the way our budgeting process works. I don't think the people out there, especially people in Yellowknife who are seeing the resource development activities happening around us and the call on the part of the government are aware of it and that they're doing everything they can to support training of our young to get ready for it. I don't think...