Sandy Lee

Thank you, Madam Chair. So Marine Transportation is actually a revolving fund so there is a subsequent information item for them. We do have to include this line item here under our 20212022 actuals because per the Revolving Fund Act, any kind of accounting deficits that is being shown by revolving fund does need to be absorbed by the administering department. So this is the line item that just shows that funding towards that revolving fund. It doesn't actually get budgeted within the programs and services activity. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So phase one is having our interviews and our inventory of programs being completed and documented. So we have had that work done with the GRI staff with the Department of Finance, and we have completed that as scheduled. And I believe that there is a schedule online that presents our status. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So the Minister is correct in that it is not cash dollars when it comes to the $49 million. When it comes to the accumulated surplus, it is a total of operational surpluses and funds but it is of majority of it assets. So if these are all in capital asset figures, they are not money that we can spend, unless we choose to sell some of them. But it is not cash dollars. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So the fuel services line within the programs and services. Again, the fuel service division is actually an operating revolving fund. So what you see here is actually the amortization for the fuel service assets as they are a revolving fund that does not have the ability to own capital. So in terms of a supplementary for the air lift, there would be discussion on potential requests if there is that need to go to the revolving fund itself in order to ensure that it does not result in increased additional increased costs because of that matter. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So, yes, that is correct. Assuming that there is an accounting deficit that's being that is going to be incurred by the Marine Transportation Services revolving fund, you will see another actuals there. In any year where there is not one, you will not see a line item there. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So there is some fluctuation, as the Member has stated, on the energy line there. And the main driver for that actually is updates to the appropriations for our LCELF program so our LCELF program being funded by the federal government. We do have to ensure that we have access and appropriations to utilize the LCELF funding. And because it is driven by application base, there are times where we would need to move the flow of funds in order to continue accessing that money. So we do see some fluctuations but really it is to maximize our ability to utilize LCELF funding...

Just because under actuals for the 20212022 fiscal year, there is an amortization cost that was coded to asset management and that was actually in error. The budget side of it is with regional operations so you'll see a corresponding surplus on that side.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So within this budget, you wouldn't see the costs for this year's actuals just yet. That will be in the subsequent year's main estimates under the 20222023 actuals at that time. The way that the budget's information item is structured, you also wouldn't see that figure called out separately; however, the Minister is correct, that currently the airlift cost for the Sachs Harbour delivery situation is about $3 million to date. We are still working on working through that process. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So, yes, while the Member is correct in stating that we may want to anticipate such a cost, that is not how the Revolving Fund Act works and has stated that situation. So we do not budget for it, and we do not ask for appropriations for that until the fact is complete. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to answer by reading her the department’s response to the AG’s recommendation on developing performance agreements. We stated that we agree improving governance and accountability to ensure that delivery of quality programs and services and consistent financial management is a priority in the Foundation for Change, which the Auditor General likes. “The Department of Health and Social Services system action plan for 2009-12 key actions identified under this priority include the implementation of a new funding methodology and development of performance and service...