Robert Hawkins

No, I’m asking if it fits within the framework, sir. Respectfully, I would say that, you know, I understand people are sick. I’d like to ask that question. Does that fit within the five-day framework, the 90 days or 103 days that I was referring to? What’s he about to do about it?

Thank you. Now, that begs the question: Where does all the TSC chargeback go? If the TSC lies within the Department of Public Works, that money must go somewhere and where does it show up in our books? Thank you.

I’ll thank the Deputy Premier for that particular response. I’m glad to hear that they have a bit of a framework. I didn’t think I heard the word “policy” or “procedure” but I certainly heard the sense of a framework, five days.

Would the Deputy Premier find in his understanding of that framework that waiting 103 days for a particular commitment made in the House or 90 days for an information request made to the Housing Minister’s office, would he consider that timely within that five-day framework and if not, what is he going to do?

Thank you. It’s actually hard to hear you over here. I seek unanimous consent to go back to page 7-13.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many promises and commitments were made in the TLC some months ago about being responsive to Members. Most notably, many of the Members, and some of them sitting on the other side of the House, pleaded with their colleagues and told them how hard they’d work for them and they’d be responsive. I’ll acknowledge that sometimes forgetting things is the reality of doing a job and it does happen to all of us whether we want to admit it or not. Often it’s referred to as being human.

There is a certain exception to that. If you’re in Cabinet, you’re expected to rise above those...

Thank you, Madam Chair. We may have to go back. I’m just seeking clarification from the department. Bilingual services, there’s an allowance program built into Human Resources. Is this under this particular section or can the Minister point to a more specific page that should be referenced on it and we can talk about it then?

I thank the Minister for coming so clear on that. The question would then beg: What are the fees and payments for this particular department if there is a number there in that column?

From the experience and expertise the deputy minister carries, is it likely that we could end up pricing ourselves out of the market of affordability if we continue to strive to 40 percent of the Building Code? Thank you.

So the obvious question is why do that then? If it’s just TSC services like other departments, why is it? Is it an accounting problem? Why would you do that if we’ve already got it listed under something? Predictably I guess it’s more of a finance question by saying this is the type of process we’d see in other departments. But as far as Human Resources goes, why would we change line items if you’re trying to follow the budget?

I guess the next question is: Has Public Works investigated the process and certainly the cost required to meet or exceed that objective of 25 percent? Then, in consideration, they must extrapolate in the 40 percent that there will be significantly more costs. Has Public Works taken this into consideration in meeting and beating the National Building Code by 25 percent? Have any qualified opinions as to how stressful on our financial pocket it will be if we try to exceed it to 40 percent? Thank you.