Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if I may draw your attention to page 4 of the budget address, there’s a quote in there that says current projections show this virtually unchanged at $70 million. That refers to our deficit. Now it also points out, going a little further into the quote, it says, from the Finance Minister yesterday, we project a $46 million operating deficit for 2004-2005 and that was with some very classy intervention with raising some taxes, creating some revenues, finding some money. But the obvious question that has caused me some concern is, has the Finance Minister...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm going to apologize for this one because it could because it has been a long day, but I don't think I quite understood the answer. Like I said, I stress it could be because it's a long day. Are they getting a fee for service and the bottles are being left within as an incidental? For example, are they able to do what they wish with the bottles, or is that incorporated in the fee for service? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That's good news. Who maintains ownership of the bottles once the money has been refunded? Who retains ownership once the bottles are returned for money? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Referring to page 3-20 under other income, $180,000, we see quite a substantial change. Could the Minister supply me with some information on a breakdown in that regard? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I notice three-and-a-half minutes of my time was lost there by hearing that that money is being allocated to health, education and municipal areas. We didn’t get any comments on what some of the low priorities were. While I am at the mike, I would also like to get some of those examples and references rather than just programs. The honourable Minister references that a five percent cut hasn’t been restored. We are arguing that we want $18 million of the five percent. I think he knows what I am referring to. Is there any indication that our government is being led on...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the Speaker be authorized to set such sitting days and hours as the Speaker, after consultation, deems fit to assist with the business before the House.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My next question to the Minister of Finance is does he recognize that $300,000 is merely a drop in the bucket for any land-use planning in any type of development, and does he note how far $300,000 goes? Can he give us examples of how that money will be spent fairly amongst all the non-tax-based communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the next question that follows up is will the Minister address this in the next upcoming budget? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my last question is does the Minister see this as a waste of money that we would have to invest in the expansion of this facility to have the facility up and running by late next year, whereas we’re going to have to tear it down in a couple years and build a new one? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister, for your answer. As you know, any renovation would have an effect on the clients and customers that use that facility. What consultation has the Minister taken into account in regard to this renovation of that building and the effect it will have on the clients and customers that use that building? Thank you.