We have no idea what will happen.
Evidence of meeting #26 for Finance in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was program.
Evidence of meeting #26 for Finance in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was program.
Conservative
Executive Director, Yukon Historical and Museums Association
MAP is project-based, so it's hard to say how it will affect us individually. Obviously, if the amount is cut, the number of projects that are going to be funded will reduce. Because we're a small territory, the amount of money we get already pales in comparison to a lot of the other provinces, which is understandable because of our size, but we'll feel it.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Brian Pallister
There are a couple of minutes remaining.
Madam Wasylycia-Leis, I give you two minutes.
NDP
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North, MB
Thank you very much.
Rebecca, you've answered my question about the double and triple whammy through these cutbacks.
I have a question for anyone who wants to answer it. As I think Sierra pointed out, at the time of these $1 billion cuts announcement, the government indicated it had just put $13.2 billion against the debt. What I want to know from you is, if we could have saved a billion or two from all the money going against the debt, would we not have been better off? Or do you believe the Conservative argument that in fact you've got to pay down the debt in order for us to reap dividends down the road, regardless of what's left, because you've cut the heck out of everything? Would you have any comments and advice for us, generally, about how to handle surpluses, where it should go, and where the most impact would be for our economy?
Sierra, do you want to start? Then, Patricia, go ahead.
Executive Director, MacBride Museum
I would just like to say that at the museum we're not able to access that $245 million. And the broader thing, in terms of this consultation, is that there needs to be a consultation. I asked my member of Parliament if I could come here to speak today. Many museum directors would not know that they could have this opportunity. We would like you to talk to us directly before you make the cuts, and we'd like you to talk to us about the establishment of a museum policy so that you know what it is that we actually need and what it is that we actually do.
President, Yukon Council on Aging
When I read this whole thing that you're sending us to comment on, and it's all talking about jobs and skills and what we need to bring our country up in the world today, I just can't believe we're cutting literacy. How are we going to have new jobs, how are we going to have skilled workers, if we don't have literacy? I'm sorry, I just don't understand the politics of today--simply that. Why are we talking about this if we're going to cut the things that will give us skilled workers?
October 2nd, 2006 / 12:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Brian Pallister
Thank you very much, Madam Wasylycia-Leis.
I would also comment, folks, that we are responsible for making recommendations on this coming year's budget. We appreciate all of your comments and presentations today as they pertain not only to recent decisions but future decisions the government may make. We are one source of input to the finance minister on this issue.
I would also mention that last year's budget provided $34 billion plus of taxpayers' money, of revenue, to pay interest on the debt. For that purpose, $34 billion was made available. In that context, every one of us, I think regardless of our political bent, and certainly the policies of each of our political parties, do not support running deficits in the future. On that we agree. On many other issues we are not agreed, but on that we are agreed.
I thank you all for the time you've taken to be with us today, for your presentations, and for your frank responses.
The meeting is adjourned.
