Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d again like to welcome the department here today as we review these supplementary appropriations. In a general sense, the concern I have is about the timing of these appropriations. To put it into context, the fact that Members here had very little time to review the numbers, to do the analysis, to read the number of briefing notes that were accompanying each line of change, even though it’s a carry-over or a lapse or an offset. Some of these documents do require some time to filter through and to balance off main estimates and even to look at past historical performance by the various departments.
My opening comment is: Is there any way that we can make this system a little bit more efficient so that we can get this information in the hands of the Members at a minimum two weeks before they hit the floor of the House? In this case, this information is within days.
I’m just asking whether or not the process or policy or both can be earmarked for future Assemblies to find more efficiencies. Again, it goes back to some of my earlier questions about financial management in my Member’s statement, getting a D-plus because of our financial reporting. This is a prime example of where the reporting of appropriations getting in the hands of Members was a bit tardy. So, really a general question, is there an opportunity for improvement, and can we get some degree of assurances that future governments, future Assemblies will at least get this information two weeks before we’re able to talk about this in the House? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister Miltenberger.
In this particular cycle, the session that we’re currently in is about a week or so earlier than normal and it squeezed us for time because of year-end and such. We agree with the Member that we would like to make sure that on a go-forward basis we hit the timelines that Members are given and have enough opportunity to thoroughly review the information so we can have a fulsome discussion. We’ll make sure that we work with the Legislature and committees on our planning on a go-forward basis when we look at dates. Normally when we look at dates of session, these types of documents don’t sort of figure into the mix about where they are in the cycle and what that will do to squeeze in the time requirements and ability to have enough time to further review things. So, the Member raises a good point and we’ll, on a go-forward basis, flag this to be considered as well. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Dolynny.
I do appreciate the Minister’s reply and explanation, and we’ll take it for what it is and hopefully we can improve upon. No further general comments, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Committee, we’re on general comments on Tabled Document 247-17(5). General comments. Is committee agreed we’ll go to detail?
Agreed.
Okay, we’ll go to page 5, Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2015-2016, Department of Education, operations expenditures, education and culture, not previously authorized, $115,000.
Agreed.
Total department, not previously authorized, $115,000.
Agreed.
Department of Health and Social Services, operations expenditures, administrative support services, not previously authorized, $524,000.
Agreed.
Total department, not previously authorized, $524,000.
Agreed.
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, operations expenditures, community operations, not previously authorized, $1.760 million.
Agreed.
Total department, not previously authorized, $1.760 million.
Agreed.
Department of Public Works and Services, operations expenditures, asset management, not previously authorized, $480,000.
Agreed.
Total department, not previously authorized, $480,000.
Agreed.
Legislative Assembly, capital investment expenditures, Office of the Clerk, not previously authorized, $203,000.
Agreed.
Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Maybe just a point of clarity here. This Legislative Assembly amount, I believe these were funds that were put in place from investment funds that are now in the hands of government to control for very specific enhancements and improvements to the facility of the Legislative Assembly. Aside from what we are seeing here as a new phone system, which I believe is a separate entity, the enhancement to the Water’s Edge Park of $147,000 and improvements to increase accessibility of $56,000, the $147,000 and the $56,000, is that just the lapsed money from this fund? Will that include the total amount that was put aside from the Building Fund organizers to the structures and enhancements that were promised? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister Miltenberger.
That’s correct, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Dolynny.
No further questions, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Office of the Clerk, not previously authorized, $203,000.
Agreed.
Total department, not previously authorized, $203,000.
Agreed.
Department of Education, Culture and Employment, capital investment expenditures, education and culture, not previously authorized, $1.870 million.
Agreed.
Labour development and standards, not previously authorized, $448,000.
Agreed.
Total department, not previously authorized, $2.318 million.
Agreed.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, capital investment expenditures, environment, not previously authorized, $29,000.
Agreed.
Forest management, not previously authorized, $2.246 million.
Agreed.
Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. There is a large amount here of $1.5 million to provide funding for the purchase of eight Air Tractor Fire Boss air tankers. Could I get an explanation of why this is a supplementary appropriation? I believe we had put it into our budget earlier, the budget that was passed earlier this year. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Deputy Minister Aumond.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the latter part of April, the contractor approached the department with an opportunity or an option to exonerate the first two aircraft in exchange for offering savings on the remaining fleet of craft to be purchased. So we need to increase in 2015-16 about 1.254 million US dollars, or about 1.554 million Canadian dollars, in exchange for getting savings in 2016-17 of about 1.588 million US dollars for a net savings over the total life of the project of about $334,000 US. Thank you.
Thanks to Mr. Aumond for that. I’m presuming that if we are advancing $1.5 million that we’re probably going to have to borrow it. Have we considered the cost of advancing the money in terms of borrowing against the money that we’re saving? I imagine it probably isn’t a heck of a lot, but I have to ask the question. Thank you.
