Social Services Committee — Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development was established in September of 2014. For 2016-17 the department has a total budget of just over $20 million and a total of 41 full-time employees. The department has dedicated focus and efforts in the areas of seniors, adult protection, wellness, recreation and sport, poverty reduction and the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Seniors, Wellness and Social Development takes a proactive, preventative and integrated approach to living well and living more equitably and inclusively in the province by addressing social and economic factors from the earliest stages of life and across the lifespan. Seniors; with respect to seniors we aim to promote healthy aging across the lifespan and foster a healthy society which honours, listens to, and includes seniors in building stronger, more dynamic communities. We are also committed to protecting adults who are at risk of abuse and neglect. In the area of wellness we provide leadership and focus and progressive measures to help all people in the province adopt healthier habits and more active lifestyles, from birth to seniors' years through initiatives which provide support and reduce barriers to healthy, active living. To further strengthen our work in this area work is now underway on the development of a new wellness plan which will further encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to work to improve their personal health and wellness and that of their communities. We are also focused on reducing, alleviating and preventing poverty and ensuring that every citizen is provided the opportunity to share fully in our society and economy. As was noted in the Budget Speech, our government aims to ensure the impact of the fiscal reality is lessened on the most vulnerable, including low-income seniors, individuals, families and persons with disabilities. The Budget Speech also highlighted the fact that, as a province, we must foster a support

2016-04-20

Newfoundland and Labrador — Committees

PDF Version

April

20, 2016

SOCIAL

SERVICES COMMITTEE

The

Committee met at 9:10 a.m. in the Assembly Chamber.

CHAIR (Dempster):

Good morning, everyone.

apologize for the late start. I had to drive a little bit of a distance and it

was unpleasant, as you can appreciate, but I'm glad you're all here safely to

the Estimates of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development and the Housing.

We'll

start with the minister having a few words. There are no substitutions here this

morning, from what I understand. And we'll go through subhead for subhead. So

the minister will have a few words. You can start with 15 minutes of

questioning. We'll alternate 15 and 15 and then 10 and 10.

The

minister can introduce herself and her staff, if she wishes

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Okay, certainly.

CHAIR:

or they can introduce

themselves and then we'll go from there.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

I'll let them introduce

themselves.

I'm

Minister Sherry Gambin-Walsh.

MR. MEADE:

Brent Meade, Deputy Minister, Seniors, Wellness and Social Development.

MR. JONES:

Mark Jones, Assistant Deputy Minister.

MR. BENNETT:

Derek Bennett, Parliamentary Secretary.

MR. OTTENHEIMER:

John Ottenheimer, Chair and CEO of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing

Corporation.

MR. LAWRENCE:

Tom Lawrence, Chief Financial Officer, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing.

MS. HAYES:

Robyn Hayes, Departmental Controller, Seniors, Wellness and Social Development.

MR. SCAPLEN:

Roger Scaplen, Director of Communications, Seniors, Wellness and Social

Development.

MR. KENDELL:

Dennis Kendell, Executive Director, Regional Operations.

MS. MOFFATT:

Kate Moffatt, Executive Director, Programs, Policy and Research.

MS. WHITE:

Kelly White, Executive Assistant to the minister.

MS. BOWRING:

Jenny Bowring, Communications Manager, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing.

MS. PERRY:

Tracey Perry, MHA for Fortune Bay Cape La Hune.

MS. HAYDEN:

Veronica Hayden, Executive Assistant to Paul Davis.

MS. HALEY:

Carol Anne Haley, MHA, Burin Grand Bank.

MS. PARSLEY:

Betty Parsley, MHA, Harbour Main.

MR. LANE:

Paul Lane, MHA, Mount Pearl

Southlands.

MS. WILLIAMS:

Susan Williams, Researcher, Third Party.

CHAIR:

Thank you.

When

you're speaking, just say your name right at the beginning for the purpose of

the Broadcast Centre downstairs.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

As Minister Responsible for

the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, I am pleased to appear before

you to discuss this year's Estimates for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing

Corporation.

We are

very proud of the work we have been doing through Newfoundland and Labrador

Housing Corporation to develop affordable housing programs and options to assist

persons with disabilities, persons with complex needs, seniors and families with

low incomes, as well as provide supports to help address homelessness throughout

the province.

Through

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation the province is partnering, once

investment in affordable housing. Agreements this year, the provincial

investment in the program will be $2.7 million. Over the past 10 years

approximately 1,117 new, affordable units have been created through this

program.

The

latest agreement will invest $27 million over five years to create approximately

466 more units, bringing the total to 1,583 by 2019. The Affordable Housing

Program assists primarily seniors and households with low incomes throughout the

province. The remaining $41 million from Affordable Housing Agreement will help

fund Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation's home repair programs, the

Provincial Home Repair and Home Modification Program.

This

year's continued provincial investment of $8.2 million will enable us to

annually assist households with low incomes. About 86 per cent of the program

recipients are seniors and these options enable them to continue living

independently in their own homes, close to their family and friends.

Budget 2016

will enable Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation to invest another $1.7

million in the Residential Energy Efficiency Program to assist lower income

households, 85 per cent of whom are seniors, with energy retrofits that will

significantly improve affordability by reducing heating costs.

This

year's budget also provides $10.3 million for the Rent Supplement Program. This

program supports individuals and families on low incomes and individuals with

complex needs by paying the portion of their rent that exceeds 25 per cent of

their net household income directly to their landlord. By partnering with

private landlords, the program enables lower income households to avail of

increased housing options. Approximately 54 per cent of rent-subsidized housing

units are occupied by seniors.

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will continue its Rent Supplement

Pilot Project, which enables us to provide rental subsidy to 20 applicants

living in the private sector rental accommodations of their choice. All units

funded under this program are required to meet health and safety standards and

have a monthly rental rate of $800 or less. The pilot is only one year old and

more time is required to determine the feasibility of continuing the program

long term.

Budget 2016

has provided a $2.5 million increase to the Supportive Living Program, bringing

the total annual funding to $7.6 million. We will invest $2 million of the

increase to provide operational funding for the newly established Out of the

Cold homeless shelter in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The additional $500,000 will be

allocated to other group projects. The Supportive Living Program enables 37

non-profit, community-based groups operating 50 projects across the province to

maintain long-term housing stability for individuals with complex needs.

We will

also ensure options are available to help prevent homelessness through a

continued $1 million investment in the Provincial Homelessness Fund, which is

administered by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. This program

provides funding to non-profit organizations enabling them to provide on-site

and outreach services, designed to promote housing stability and greater

self-reliance among individuals and families at risk.

keeping with the long-standing government directive, Newfoundland and Labrador

Housing Corporation will continue to divest of its remaining land holdings. Such

land asset sales can generate revenue as well as economic spinoffs of private

residential industry and help create increased employment opportunities.

Also,

the vacant surplus infrastructures now being sold are in areas that there hasn't

been any demand for these properties in many, many years. Government cannot

justify investing money to renovate properties likely to remain vacant. The sale

of this land and surplus properties will also enable Newfoundland and Labrador

Housing Corporation to refocus solely on its primary mandate of assisting

low-income households.

recent years, the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has extensively

upgraded over 77 per cent of its housing portfolio resulting in a substantial

decrease in annual maintenance costs. While there has been a $1 million

reduction in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing's modernization and improvement

spending, the budget is actually being restored to its traditional investment of

$10.9 million annually.

As the

detailed expenditure reductions for Budget

2016 indicate, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation's total budget

for this year has been reduced by 40 per cent. However, this is almost

exclusively due to a one-time $15.1 million return of funds to the provincial

government.

Since

1967, when Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation was first incorporated,

the province has made capital investments in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing

Corporation in the amount of $63 million. This investment was made to acquire

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing capital assets such as the social housing fund

infrastructure and includes $15 million for land assemblies and development,

which was formerly part of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation's

mandate.

As of

2016-2017, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will have liquidated

its land assembly portfolio and is returning these funds to the provincial

government. This transfer of funds will have no impact on programs and

operations. The grant reduction is a one-time transfer for 2016-2017 only.

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation's budget remains essentially

unchanged.

As an

organization, the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation continues to

develop housing initiatives in consultation with community stakeholders. It is

that approach which has enabled us to review housing policies and revise housing

programs to ensure they provide safe and affordable housing to people with low

incomes and families and individuals most at risk of becoming homeless. It is

our intention to move forward by continuing to build on our current success.

Thank

you.

CHAIR:

Thank you, Minister.

Now the

first responder has 15 minutes.

MS. PERRY:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

My first

question pertains to the line items, and we only have one item, number 10,

Grants and Subsidies. Why is there not a breakdown and line by line? For

example, can we get a written breakdown of the Salaries for each division, and a

written breakdown of the Operating Accounts for each division, including travel,

office supplies and furniture, purchases, contract services? And can we have a

breakdown of the Grants and Subsidies for each division?

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Okay.

MR. OTTENHEIMER:

In response to the question from the Member, absolutely. This is information

which, obviously, as a part of the budgetary process, has been shared with

Treasury Board, Treasury Board ministers. That information will be made

available, and Members opposite will be provided with the information as

requested.

MS. PERRY:

Okay, thank you so much.

On the

website, the lists of all the cuts are itemized in that 10-page document. It

says line by line and other operational savings of $15,160,000. Of course, we

don't have the lines to be able to try and decipher where those savings are. So

can you give us some elaboration on, specifically, what those reductions are?

MR. OTTENHEIMER:

That is the issue the minister had referenced in her introductory comments with

respect to the grant reduction, and the details of which I'm going to ask my

CFO, Tom Lawrence, to elaborate.

MR. LAWRENCE:

Thank you very much.

What

this basically is, over the years the provincial government has invested $15

million in the corporation's land development structure. Over the years this

land has been sold and it's now completely paid off, basically.

So this

$15 million represents cash that we have in our bank account that is the

province's money. We are going to return that to the province this year as they

requested. It won't have any impact on our operations because it's a transfer

from our bank account to the province's, basically, right.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

MR. LAWRENCE:

They wanted us to do this this year, which we've done.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

MR. OTTENHEIMER:

If I may just add to that, just by way of analogy; it's not an exact analogy but

I think it helps explain.

It's

much like a corporate dividend. These are monies that are owned by the Treasury

of the province, owned by the shareholder, the people of the province, and are

now simply being returned to the public Treasury after a number of years.

So, as

Mr. Lawrence indicated, it's simply a one-time transfer. It only happens this

year. It's a one-time event that is simply retuning to the province what is,

essentially, legally owned by the province.

MS. PERRY:

I fully understand. The same

way that we'll get dividends from organizations like Nalcor.

Again,

going back to my original question: Can we get a written breakdown and a list of

the Salaries, Operating Accounts, and Grants and Subsidies for each division?

OFFICIAL:

Yes.

MS. PERRY:

Thank you.

MR. OTTENHEIMER:

As indicated, that information will be provided. I will ensure that the

information, as requested, is provided to all Members. As I say, it's public

information and it will be provided. That will be gathered, as it already has

been, throughout the Treasury Board process, but we'd be happy to provide that

at our earliest opportunity.

MS. PERRY:

Thank you.

In the

savings sheet breakdown for each department, it shows that Newfoundland and

Labrador Housing Corporation has the Southlands sale of $5 million, the sale of

the vacant social housing units at $590,500, and then your line by line and

other operational savings at $15,160,000.

When you

add it all up, you see a savings of $20,750,500, but when you look at your

Grants and Subsidies line you have $21,333,500 budgeted. So there's a difference

of $583,000. Where is this?

MR. LAWRENCE:

Those numbers that were provided on that sheet that adds up to $21.8 million?

MS. PERRY:

Yes.

MR. LAWRENCE:

Actually, if you look at the detail, it really only adds up to $20,750,000.

MS. PERRY:

Yes, that's what we have. We

have a total savings of $20,750,000, but when you look here in the actual budget

document the number we're seeing is $21,333,500. That's a difference of

$583,000. So I'm just wondering what that is.

MR. LAWRENCE:

That's made up out of a whole bunch of different items. For example, attrition

savings is the major part of that. We have six positions that are vacant. They

will not be filled, and it's pretty well right on that number, around $560,000;

I think $590,000.

MS. PERRY:

Okay. So we'll see that in

the breakdown of the line by line when it's provided?

MR. LAWRENCE:

Absolutely.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Can we

have a list of all the vacant social housing with addresses that are for sale?

MR. OTTENHEIMER:

Yes, that will be provided.

We have identified the communities. In fact, the minister may want to speak to

this as well because I see the list before her. The exact addresses, that can be

clearly identified and provided, and the minister may want to speak to this as

well.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

I'll actually read it out for

you and table it if you wish.

MS. PERRY:

will be all the remaining land infrastructure that we have. It's all in

Southlands.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

What are

the time frames that you're looking at?

MR. LAWRENCE:

We'll be looking at, I

suspect, probably around late summer, very early fall.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

MR. LAWRENCE:

I would just like to say that because this is a public tender process, we're a

bit reluctant on trying to say what the exact value is because that could impact

MS. PERRY:

I understand that. I

appreciate that, absolutely.

MR. LAWRENCE:

Thank you.

MS. PERRY:

Now, again, trying to get

back to the Salaries. How many full-time equivalents or temporary positions at

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing have been extended to September?

MR. LAWRENCE:

We haven't extended any, actually. We don't have any temporary positions right

now.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

MR. LAWRENCE:

So we wouldn't be extending

any to September.

MS. PERRY:

Now, you alluded to this a

little bit earlier, so my apologies if there's some repetition here. Are you

They're mostly in St. John's.

MS. PERRY:

Where outside of St. John's

are they?

MR. LAWRENCE:

That question, I can't

remember exactly but I would say five of the six are in St. John's. I'm not sure

OFFICIAL:

(Inaudible.)

MR. LAWRENCE:

Oh sorry, one might be

Gander.

MS. PERRY:

One in Gander? Okay.

MR. LAWRENCE:

These

are my questions

CHAIR:

Ms. Rogers, I understand, is

running late, but plans to be here. So you can continue, Ms. Perry, or that is

it for that section?

MS. PERRY:

That's it for that section.

I'm not as bad as you thought I was, hey?

CHAIR:

I'm going to ask for a

consensus from the Committee. Would you like to defer the vote until Ms. Rogers

MS. PERRY:

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Nay.

CHAIR:

Carried.

motion, subhead 1.1.01 carried.

CLERK:

The total.

CHAIR:

Shall the total carry?

All

those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Nay.

CHAIR:

Carried.

motion, Estimates of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation carried

without amendment.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

My Housing staff is going to

leave.

CHAIR:

Yes, you are free to leave.

Thank

you for coming.

OFFICIAL:

Thank you very much.

CHAIR:

I apologize for the 10-minute

delay in starting.

Okay, so

we're ready to go again on the Seniors, Wellness and Social Development subhead,

Executive and Support Services. I'll ask the minister if she would like to start

with a few words I should call the subhead before the minister says a few

words. Okay, I was doing that next. We need to do this procedurally correct.

I'll ask

the Clerk to call the subhead.

CLERK:

1.1.01.

CHAIR:

Shall 1.1.01 carry?

ahead, Minister.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

The Department of Seniors,

Wellness and Social Development was established in September of 2014. For

2016-17 the department has a total budget of just over $20 million and a total

of 41 full-time employees. The department has dedicated focus and efforts in the

areas of seniors, adult protection, wellness, recreation and sport, poverty

reduction and the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Seniors, Wellness and

Social Development takes a proactive, preventative and integrated approach to

living well and living more equitably and inclusively in the province by

addressing social and economic factors from the earliest stages of life and

across the lifespan.

Seniors;

with respect to seniors we aim to promote healthy aging across the lifespan and

foster a healthy society which honours, listens to, and includes seniors in

building stronger, more dynamic communities. We are also committed to protecting

adults who are at risk of abuse and neglect.

In the

area of wellness we provide leadership and focus and progressive measures to

help all people in the province adopt healthier habits and more active

lifestyles, from birth to seniors' years through initiatives which provide

support and reduce barriers to healthy, active living. To further strengthen our

work in this area work is now underway on the development of a new wellness plan

which will further encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to work to

improve their personal health and wellness and that of their communities.

We are

also focused on reducing, alleviating and preventing poverty and ensuring that

every citizen is provided the opportunity to share fully in our society and

economy. As was noted in the Budget Speech, our government aims to ensure the

impact of the fiscal reality is lessened on the most vulnerable, including

low-income seniors, individuals, families and persons with disabilities.

The

Budget Speech also highlighted the fact that, as a province, we must foster a

supportive and inclusive environment which ensures all residents are able to

live, work and participate in their communities. Our aim is to enhance the

inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society, including

across economic, social and cultural opportunities on an equal basis with

others.

2016-2017, Seniors, Wellness and Social Development will receive funding for

three new important initiatives. The first initiative is the establishment of a

new Director of Adult Protection position. A new

Adult Protection Act was proclaimed on June 30, 2014. This

legislation impacts all adults, regardless of living arrangements, who lack

capacity to understand and appreciate risk and may be abused, and/or neglected.

The act also includes an outline of the role and responsibilities of a

provincial Director of Adult Protection.

The

provincial Director of Adult Protection is responsible for the care and custody

of adults who lack capacity and are abused or neglected, as well as having

responsibility for consultation and reports, evaluations and investigations and

overall administration of the legislation. Since the new act was proclaimed in

June of 2014, the Director of Aging and Seniors has assumed the role of Director

of Adult Protection. Other Atlantic provinces have a full-time provincial

director.

During

the first 12 months of implementation of the

Adult Protection Act there were 258

reports with 22 proceedings to investigation. Responsibilities related to the

Adult Protection Act have increased

over the past two years and are expected to further increase as the population

ages. And the legislation continues to raise awareness and increase

accountabilities at the regional level. In addition, we are seeing more complex

cases which require substantial assessment and attention. The establishment of

the Director of Adult Protection position will provide better protection and

reduce risk to adults who may be or are in need or protection.

The

second initiative is the establishment of an office of the seniors' advocate.

Our Liberal government committed to establishing an office of the seniors'

advocate. The need to establish a seniors' advocate office has been broadly

identified from individual members of the public, seniors organizations such as

the Seniors Resource Centre and the 50+ Federation. The need for senior's

advocacy has also been raised by the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and

Seniors. The advisory council also raised the need for awareness and education

of existing resources available to seniors in this province.

Budget 2016

has committed $250,000 in 2016-17 to establish an independent office of the

seniors' advocate with an annual budget of $500,000 beginning in 201718. A

hundred thousand dollars of the $250,000 allocated in 20162017 will be used to

raise awareness of existing services to seniors, and the fact that the office of

the seniors' advocate is being established. The seniors' advocate will be a

strong, independent voice for Newfoundland and Labrador seniors and their

families.

Our

third new initiative for 20162017 is the establishment of an anti-smoking

campaign. During the election our government committed to implementing

anti-smoking actions and providing support for organizations that offer smoking

cessation programs.

Significant progress has been made in the area of tobacco control in

Newfoundland and Labrador. Smoking rates have declined for various age groups,

particularly youth. Second-hand smoke bans in public places are extensive.

Retail compliance rates restricting the sale of tobacco products to underage

youth is high in the province. And display and promotion bans of tobacco

products at retail decrease the visibility and advertising of tobacco to youth.

Despite these successes, Newfoundland and Labrador continues to have one of the

highest smoking rates in the country with approximately over a hundred thousand

people continuing to use tobacco.

Smoking

rates among vulnerable populations, such as people living on low income and with

mental health issues, are generally double that of the general population. And

youth are still experimenting with tobacco and starting to smoke. Many

individuals continue to be addicted to tobacco costing our health care system

millions of dollars annually.

Tobacco

use remains the most preventable cause of disease and premature death. Our

government is committed to protecting people, particularly children and youth,

from the proven health risks of tobacco use. The rationale for such a priority

is clear; therefore, further action is required to prevent and reduce tobacco

use in our province. These actions will be based on evidence, provincial data,

research, best practices and monitoring trends and emerging issues.

Budget 2016 has provided $250,000 in

annual new funding for anti-smoking initiatives which will fund expanding and/or

enhancing the delivery of current products.

closing, with a budget of just over $20 million and a staff of 41 full-time

employees, this department is strongly committed to addressing some of the very

important issues we face in society today. We are working to ensure that all

people in the province are equally included, supported and empowered to achieve

their full potential and well-being. The importance of this department's mandate

is surpassed only by the dedication of its staff.

Thank

you.

CHAIR:

Thank you, Minister.

MS. PERRY:

Thank you, Minister, for the

overview.

I have a

lot of papers on this one. I have more questions this time.

section 1.1.01, Salaries for 2015-2016 in the revised budget were over by

$153,000. Can you explain why that is?

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

The increase of $153,000 was

due to severance and paid leave payouts for outgoing political staff.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Then

when we look to 2016-2017 we see a drop from an annualized expenditure of

$214,000 down to $62,600. Can you explain which positions are being cut here?

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Yeah, well, not being cut; a

decrease of $151,000 due to a CA being allocated to the House of Assembly, and

the salary for the minister and EA being allocated to the Child, Youth and

Family Services budget.

MS. PERRY:

I didn't hear that.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Oh I'm sorry.

It was a

decrease due to the CA being allocated to the House of Assembly budget. The

salaries for the minister and the executive assistant are allocated to the

Child, Youth and Family budget because I do have two full departments.

MS. PERRY:

So we'll see that when we go

into Child, Youth and Family Services.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Child, Youth and Family

Services, yes.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Transportation and Communications, where have you made cuts? It's about $10,000

less for the upcoming year.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

What happened was we did a

line-by-line review with Treasury Board and there were decreases based on

historical expenditures.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Can you

explain last year where the drop in Transportation and Communications came from,

from the original budget to the revised?

Yes, we are.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

In terms

of line item 1.2.01, $45,000 less was spent in 2015-2016 for Executive Support.

Where is that decrease accounted for?

MR. MEADE:

The question is the reduction in the 2015-16 budget the revised number is lower,

that's due to the assistant deputy minister position being vacant for a period

of time and the secretary to the assistant deputy minister being vacant for a

period of time.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

When you

look then, going forward, the number has increased. Are you anticipating hiring

more or that these positions will just be filled for the full 12 months?

MR. MEADE:

Right now, what has happened is both of those positions remain vacant, both of

those positions just mentioned; however, they have been budgeted for in '16-'17.

MS. PERRY:

So that's the ADM and the

MR. MEADE:

An ADM position and an ADM secretary position. So right now, the secretary in

our department supports both the ADM and the deputy minister.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

This

year you've increased Employee Benefits by $1,000. Why is that?

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Which one?

MS. PERRY:

1.2.01.01.

MR. MEADE:

That would just again be historical review. So what occurred across the

line-by-line review is historical spending would have been looked at across all

activities and, in several, they would have been reduced due to historical

spending; but, in some, they also would have been rightsized and there would

have been slight increases, and this is an example of where that would have

occurred.

So what

that would have showed is that historically over the years we've been spending

slightly more than $2,000 $3,000 was the average, and that's what would have

been budgeted.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

What is

the Transportation and Communications budget allocated for, for 2016-2017? What

travel do you anticipate?

MR. MEADE:

So that would be travel for the executive team. That would be travel for any

number of things. It could be FPT meetings; it could be other meetings we would

attend.

MS. PERRY:

So your travel for FPT is not

accounted for in 1.1.01 above?

MR. MEADE:

No, in the Minister's Office, 1.1.01, this would be only the minister's travel

and minister's officials' travel up there. So the only thing that will be

charged to 1.1.01 for travel would be if the minister travels or any of her

staff, such as her EA, travels on SWSD business. That's when her travel would be

charged off there.

MS. PERRY:

So the $46,800 is ministerial

MS. PERRY:

So it's just three positions

with a budget of $33,200 and, above, two positions with a budget of $46,800? Is

that what I'm hearing?

MR. MEADE:

That's what you're hearing, yes.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

In terms

of Purchased Services, can you account for why the budget last year was $7,700

and only $2,500 was utilized? What was intended to be done, and what was

actually done?

MR. MEADE:

So purchased services are things like meeting expenses, printing, those types of

things copier costs, and things like that. So what would have happened last

year, our expenses would have just been lower than anticipated. You can see it

in this year there is, because of the historical spending, a rightsizing of the

budget back to $3,700.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

MR. MEADE:

If I may add, because this will be a common theme as you go down to the revised,

two things would have impacted revised budgets last year. One would have been

the transition of government, and two would have been the immediate measures

that were brought in in December.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

I have

some generic questions, but I'll keep going through line by line and then ask on

the

section as a whole. In terms of

section 1.2.02 now, because I'm just

following along, Transportation and Communications for Administrative Support,

why was there a significant increase in 2015-2016 from $36,000 up to $58,000 for

Transportation and Communications?

MR. MEADE:

Transportation and

Communications would have had a revised budget of $58,000 versus the budget of

$36,000 because when we created a new department and previously it would have

been under Tourism, Culture and Recreation. For many years, we've been

historically paying for the postage for three organizations: Recreation

Newfoundland and Labrador, Sport Newfoundland and Labrador and School Sport

Newfoundland and Labrador. That is the postage related to those. That's what

drove up that line item.

Through

the budget process, we've now determined or decided that we will no longer cover

their postage costs. That was a long-standing arrangement based on the way that

they used to be housed in government buildings at one point. But we will

discontinue that practice. Then for 2016-17 the number has been brought back to,

if we take that into account, what our historical spend should be.

MS. PERRY:

So the $26,500 is a drop of

$10,000, how do you expect to achieve these savings? If the increase was

explained by postage and it's discontinued that $26,500 for this year, what

would that expenditure be for primarily, do you think?

MR. MEADE:

It would still remain to be

for the things that are normally covered under Transportation and

Communications. In this item of Administrative Support, it wouldn't be travel.

This is where you are primarily covering things such as telephones, postage,

those type of administrative expenses related to transportation and

communications.

The

$26,500 if you look at historical spend, if we were to reconcile the postage

issue that I've mentioned before and looked at what we would historically spend

in a department around telephone, postage, et cetera, et cetera for the core

department, then that would be the amount that's left.

As well,

there was a reconciling across the system around some telephone features and

blue-page advertising that was done that removed small amounts from department

budgets.

CHAIR:

Ms. Perry, I'm going to move

now Ms. Rogers has joined us. So we're reviewing the Estimates of Seniors,

Wellness and Social Development. We're under heading of Executive and Support

Services.

MS. ROGERS:

Gerry Rogers, I'm the MHA for

the good people of St. John's Centre. Thank you very much for coming this

morning. Also, thank you very much for your incredible creative and innovative

work on behalf for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

I know

the task ahead of you in this particular fiscal environment can, in some ways,

be daunting in terms of the resources we have and the great needs of the people

of the province, and to ensure that everyone is well and has what they need to

thrive and to fully participate in our province.

Thank

you very much for your work. Thank you for beating these snow odds and getting

in here. You did a much better job than I did in terms of getting here on time.

I'll

just continue with some of the line-by-line issues. Recreation and Sport,

2.1.01; I see there's been a cut to Grants and Subsidies of $1.185 million. Can

you explain these cuts and how you think they may be affecting the programs

and/or community groups and/or individuals and/or regions that might be affected

by these cuts?

MR. MEADE:

Grants and Subsidies; the vote of Grants and Subsidies in Recreation and Sport

will fluctuate from year to year depending on one-time funding that we put into

the account. What you're seeing this year is a combination of two things: you're

seeing a combination of one-time funding that would have been removed; and two,

there are some reductions related to the Government Renewal Initiative.

For

example, things that would have been in the vote last year but then would be

removed because it would be one time would be $500,000 for the Labrador Winter

Games and $250,000 for the Special Olympics. There's money that rolls in some

years and rolls out other years for regional playdowns regarding the games. That

was $75,000, and as well around Canada Games funding. Canada Games funding goes

up and down every year, depending on the Canada Games cycle. So last year there

would have been $80,000.

Also

removed, then, related to the Government Renewal Initiative is a total of about

$740,000. These would have been published on Budget day. So it would be money

related to the $160,000

MS. ROGERS:

Can you say that again,

please? I'm having a little bit of a hard time if you could slow down just a

little bit for me.

MR. MEADE:

Okay.

MS. ROGERS:

Thank you.

MR. MEADE:

There would have been reductions related to the Government Renewal Initiative.

They would have been published on Budget day. They do total $740,000. There was

$160,000 for the cancelation of certain sport and rec initiatives. There was a

net of $230,000 around Jumpstart. There was $75,000 regarding a recreation grant

that was given to the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation Band Council and another

approximately $275,000 related to sport initiatives.

So that

would explain, I hope, for you the variance. Then, what remains in the $6.2

million is money for the Community Healthy Living Fund, the provincial sport

organizations. Over $1.4 million remains there for provincial sport and

recreation governing bodies and amputee initiatives. There's almost $1.7 million

there for physical activity and recreation development in Start Right Now,

Healthy Students, Healthy Schools and rec and sport for persons with

disabilities, for example. And there's almost $2.5 million still in there for

sport development, the Labrador Travel Subsidy Program, Canada Games, Athletic

Excellence Fund, coaching, et cetera.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay.

The

Jumpstart program: that's cut by $350,000. Can you tell me how many children

were able to participate in that program, and also how much money was leveraged

by government's participation in the Jumpstart program? How much money will we

not leverage?

MR. JONES:

Jumpstart is a program of Canadian Tire. The province provides a grant, money

grant, to Canadian Tire to operate Jumpstart and it goes into the general pool

of funds available. They produce an annual report and they would have the robust

numbers on the impacts.

The last

report we have is expenditures around $900,000, total, for the province. That

would include our $350,000. And the impacts vary from year to year, but suffice

to say that hundreds of children and youth avail of the Canadian Tire Jumpstart

program.

MS. ROGERS:

Mark, can you just explain to

me, then so government would contribute $350,000 or allocate $350,000 for that

program. Then, Canadian Tire would allocate $550,000?

MR. JONES:

Correct, however, it's not a direct contribution, a matched contribution. The

funds that are pooled for Canadian Tire Jumpstart come from contributions from

clients of Canadian Tire. So when you make a donation at Canadian Tire, when you

make a donation at Sport Chek, they have a partnership agreement between various

companies.

The

dollar value varies from year to year. The $350,000 from government was each

year. Then, depending on the sales at the stores and the donations from the

stores, extra monies would be donated and go into that pot.

MS. ROGERS:

So the money from Canadian

Tire would then come into government coffers for government to

MR. JONES:

No.

MS. ROGERS:

No? So the $350,000, how

would that be administered? Where would that go?

MR. JONES:

So the $350,000 from

government goes directly to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation which is a

separate corporate entity from Canadian Tire. They administer the funds. It's a

fully operated program by Canadian Tire. Here in the province it's operated

through a series of networks of Jumpstart groups that take in the applications,

process them, put them up to corporate and then the monies gets disbursed by

Canadian Tire Jumpstart.

MS. ROGERS:

So the $350,000 that will not

be going to the Jumpstart program, is that being redirected in any way? Is there

anything being done to help children who are disadvantaged to be able to be

involved in sports activity?

MR. JONES:

I'll continue with the

Jumpstart. Jumpstart will continue. It will continue to exist in this province

as it is a Canadian Tire function.

MS. ROGERS:

Yes.

MR. JONES:

They will continue to process

the applications. We've been in touch with Canadian Tire Jumpstart officials.

They are certainly aware of this decision through budget, and they've indicated

that they're going to do their best, through their corporate partners, to

continue to meet the need. Jumpstart will continue to meet the need of children

and youth who are applying through that program.

MS. ROGERS:

I guess my question is not so

much now Jumpstart. We see a loss of $350,000 to help disadvantaged children to

become fully involved in sporting activities. That's not going to Jumpstart so

we're seeing a loss of that amount of money helping disadvantaged children. Are

we making it up in any other way is my question.

MR. JONES:

An additional program that we

support through our partner in Sport NL is KidSport, which is a similar type of

program where children and youth can make application there and receive funding

for their registration fees and equipment. So that continues. That budget was

maintained.

MS. ROGERS:

Can you tell me how much that

budget is for the KidSport?

MR. JONES:

The KidSport allocation, if

memory serves, is $75,000. It might be $85,000. I have to confirm that number.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay, so a big jump from

$75,000 plus $350,000 to simply $75,000, in terms of assistance for

disadvantaged children to be able to participate in sports.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

The cancellation of the

funding from the provincial government to the Jumpstart program was a very

difficult decision. Given the fiscal reality, we had to look at all our programs

and determine what we were going to do. Our objective was to focus on our

in-house programs, and this was a corporation program.

MS. ROGERS:

Yes, I understand that.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

That's what happened.

MS. ROGERS:

I can understand that, but it

means that's $350,000 that is not going to help disadvantaged children. So my

There was a reduction of

$350,000. So it is not allocated, it is reduced.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay, great; just great

clarification.

Thank

you very much.

CHAIR:

So, Ms. Rogers, we'll come

back to you again. Right now I'll just pass it back to Ms. Perry.

MS. ROGERS:

Thank you.

MS. PERRY:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Back to

line item 1.2.02. Why is there no allocation for Salaries? We see Employee

Benefits, but there is no allocation for Salaries. Can you tell me how many

positions are in this category, what the budget was last year, what the revised

was for last year and what the Estimate is for this year?

MR. MEADE:

Administrative Support does not have Salaries attached to it. It's an activity

that supports the corporate activity of the department. Again, as I mentioned

around so Employee Benefits would be for any claims around workplace health

and safety that we would have to make to the commission. Transportation and

Communications is the corporate support of telephone and postage. Supplies would

be the same thing. It's the corporate support of general supplies in the

department. Purchased Services would be the general support of the corporate

copiers and things like that. So it doesn't have a salary attached to it. It's a

corporate service element of the department.

MS. PERRY:

Employee Benefits is like

training programs or conferences or something you'd be sending them to?

MR. MEADE:

No, in this account it wouldn't be. In other accounts, Employee Benefits would

be for people availing of training or conferences or something like this. In

this account it is actually allocated for the purpose of any payments we would

have to make to Workplace Newfoundland and Labrador regarding work health and

safety claims in the department.

MS. PERRY:

Workers' compensation.

MR. MEADE:

You'll find that common, hon. Member, across all departments. They would have

the same structure. They would have an Administrative Support activity, and

their Employee Benefits would be around Workplace Newfoundland and Labrador.

That's a common way that it's done across the system.

MS. PERRY:

Is EAP underneath that too?

MR. MEADE:

No, EAP is a budget program. I think it's under the Public Service Commission.

It may be under Human Resource Secretariat but I believe EAP is a Public Service

Commission. It's one of those.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

1.2.02.02, Revenue, can you explain? Last year there was a budget of $3,000 and

actual revenue of $8,200, and this year you have a budget again of $3,000. Can

you explain what that's for?

MR. MEADE:

Yes, I can.

Revenue

here is again understanding the function of Administrative Support being a

corporate support activity. This is where things like trip advances or petty

cash accounts are moved in and out. So this would show here.

What

happened here was there would have been a grant issued at some point that was

never drawn down, so it was actually returned. What happens here is any old year

returns, any ins and outs of petty cash accounts, trip advances and stuff like

that, that's what works in and out of this account. That's what generally

happens.

MS. PERRY:

Can you provide us with a

list of all grants allocated in the General Administration component of the

budget?

MR. MEADE:

There would be no grants administered. If you would like the detail of the grant

that was returned, we can certainly provide that because I believe that's why

the number was somewhat higher. It was because I think there was a $4,000 or

$5,000 something was returned in that regard, but I can get the details on

that for sure.

MS. PERRY:

From another division but

allocated here?

MR. MEADE:

Yes. So what would have happened is because something returned, you may not have

a revenue account somewhere. They would allocate it into the particularly if

it's an old year. It's almost something like back in general revenue.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

What is

your budget for petty cash and what would you use petty cash for?

MR. MEADE:

I don't know the exact budget for petty cash, but petty cash would be used

primarily in the operations of our pools. They would need small amounts of money

to handle floats around admission prices and stuff like that, but they also may

have small petty cash accounts to pay for a small amount of supplies. So that

would be the exception.

Petty

cash accounts are not extensively used. They are generally only used around

operating of certain facilities or whatnot. In our case, I think it's largely in

our pools where we would have petty cash accounts.

MS. PERRY:

Would we be able to get an

extensions across the

department, generally?

MS. PERRY:

Yes. I'm talking Minister's

Office only,

section 1.1.01. That would be page 23.3 and page 23.4, just that

component alone. How many full-time equivalents and temporary positions, if any,

do you have extended until September?

MR. MEADE:

None in the Minister's Office, but I might as well answer the question for the

department.

MS. PERRY:

Yes.

MR. MEADE:

For the department overall, we have three positions extended to the end of

September.

MS. PERRY:

Three?

MR. MEADE: Yes.

MS. PERRY: Okay.

Well, let's stick with the department overall then. Are you

implementing the attrition plan that came in last year?

MR. MEADE: Yes,

we are. All departments are, yes.

MS. PERRY: Did

you meet the targets for 2015? Specifically, how many positions were eliminated

through attrition and what is the plan for 2016?

MR. MEADE: Our

target is five positions over five years for a total of $400,000. We met our

target of one position last year. It was a position in the Recreation and Sport

division. We would have a target of one in each of the next four years.

We have a series of retirements that are coming up this

year. So while we haven't specifically identified it, we anticipate we will meet

our attrition target again this year.

MS. PERRY: Okay.

So what you're saying is you have three layoffs in addition

to the attrition model?

MR. MEADE: Three

layoffs? No, we had no layoffs.

MS. PERRY: Oh,

possibly three layoffs. I'm sorry about that.

You have three FTEs extended until September.

MR. MEADE: Yes,

but there's no determination there will be layoffs. There are three temporary

positions; all temporary positions were extended in government until the end of

September. So we have three of those positions.

MS. PERRY: Okay.

At this point in time you can't speak to whether or not

they will be renewed because that decision hasn't been determined.

MR. MEADE: No,

we cannot. No, a decision has not been made.

MS. PERRY: Okay.

What positions are they?

MR. MEADE: The

three temporary positions in the department; there is a word processing

operator. It's really a receptionist-type position. That is a temporary

position. It has been extended to the end of September. There's a policy analyst

in our strategic planning division that is extended to the end of September.

There is a clerk position in one of the divisions, that has been extended to the

end of September clerk/secretarial support-type position.

MS. PERRY: Okay.

I'm going to come back later with more of my policy

questions and keep to the line by line going forward.

Moving on then to 2.1.01, page 23.5, under Recreation and

Sport, line item 01 for Salaries; last year there was a decrease from the

budgeted amount to the revised amount of $69,600, but then when you look forward

to the Estimates for

2016-2017, you see that the new budget is $1,266,500, so that's up $46,500 from

the revised expenditures of last year. Is there a new position in there, or can

you explain what that increase from your actual of 2015-2016 is to the new

Estimate for 2016-2017?

MR. MEADE:

The variance in '15-'16 of being down by approximately $69,000 is because of

vacancies in the recreational sport consultants for a period of the year. And we

also had an employee on unpaid leave for a period of the year, so that would

have led to a reduction there.

number one, there are a number of things there. There is the position that I

mentioned earlier about attrition management. This is where this came out, so we

are down one position there but we also then would have funding for the

implementation of the Job Evaluation System, JES. There was money put in here

for that, some employees moved to higher steps

MS. PERRY:

Hang on now; you're going too

fast for me too.

MR. MEADE:

There are things in and out, I guess, is what I'm saying. So the net result, in

terms of positions there's only one position, and what you're seeing in

$1,266,000 is just a number of things going in and coming out. There's a

position coming out of $64,000 but going in there would be things: employees

moving to higher steps of approximately $8,000; additional funding added to the

base for the Job Evaluation System, JES.

MS. PERRY:

What's the name of that

position? What position is that?

MR. MEADE:

That's not a position. That was where across government there was a review of

the classification system. It was called the Job Evaluation System, JES. You

will come across this, I would think, in your Estimates as you move through.

Depending on what occurred in departments and what the JES results were, some

positions were classified slightly higher or brought up and that will lead to

some variances in salaries.

And, for

this division, the net result of it was that the salaries would have to go up by

$21,000. There's also a small amount of money put in there for the Corner Brook

pool, for additional programming.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

And the

title of that one job which is eliminated through attrition was what?

MR. MEADE:

The technical title of it was industry development officer, an IDO was what we

called it but the more explanatory term is a rec and sport consultant.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

CHAIR:

Ms. Perry, did you just have

one more thing on that line or will I move to Ms. Rogers now?

MS. PERRY:

She can go ahead.

MS. ROGERS:

Thank you very much.

If we

could go back to 2.1.01, Grants and Subsidies, can you please explain to me

again what might be some of the effects of the cancellation and cuts in some of

the programs? I know the Stars and Legends that government attended that

Saturday night to help celebrate the Stars and Legends from our province was

that an annual grant of $40,000 that is now cut entirely?

MR. MEADE:

When we looked at the

Government Renewal Initiative and looked at how we could find savings, we did

look at how we supported the federations; the three federations being Sport

Newfoundland and Labrador, Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador and School

Sports Newfoundland and Labrador. Over the years, we have had a very long and

successful relationship with the three federations.

What

occurs with Sport Newfoundland and Labrador and Recreation Newfoundland and

Labrador in particular, but also School Sports, but in particular for those two,

are they deliver a number of programs and services in conjunction with

government. Over the years, they would have come in and there might have been

things that we wanted to do that they would be a delivery agent for, but there

were also things that they would have come forward and asked if they could

receive funding for.

Stars

and Legends, Sportfest and coaching were the three areas that would have been

impacted in Sport Newfoundland and Labrador. There was $40,000 removed across

that. There was $15,000 given to Stars and Legends and we cancelled that

contribution. It's an event where they have other means of raising money around

it. It has strong corporate support.

It's an

event that has grown in size over the years. And, yes, it is a great event and

one that recognizes sport excellence but when it came down to difficult

decisions, we felt it was a program that we would we tried to keep for us what

were the things that were most important to the support system and to the

recreation system and to the school sport system to maintain the integrity of

the system in terms of how we could achieve the objectives of getting people

active, getting kids active, how we could continue to pursue athletic excellence

through elite sport development, how we continue to support our provincial sport

organizations, et cetera, et cetera.

Our

contribution to Sport Newfoundland and Labrador, for example, overall would be

over a million dollars. So this is a small cut in comparison to what we provide

to them overall. In Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador, we eliminated the

funding around some leadership development. So they've developed a number of

programs and components that they've delivered over the years. Much of it is

developed. So they already have I guess, in some respects, the infrastructure

and curriculum and program development done around it, and they will continue to

deliver it.

It does

mean there may be some costs associated for participants, but we felt again in

the context of everything we did with Rec Newfoundland and Labrador that was an

area and I don't know the full amount we give Rec Newfoundland and Labrador,

but it is again a substantial this would be a minor cut in the context of

things, to what Rec Newfoundland and Labrador would get.

MS. ROGERS:

Leadership training, okay.

MR. MEADE:

So $650,000 is the amount we give Rec Newfoundland and Labrador on an annual

basis. We reduced our contribution by $45,000 in that one area.

The

other areas that we would have looked, again, would have been we reduced the

program area in sport hosting. So that's where we would give money to provincial

sport organizations, largely, to host national events here, international events

here. That was a $100,000 program, and then we reduced that to $50,000, cut that

in half.

Then

there were slight cuts to Canada Games and slight cuts to some of the money we

had for research, et cetera, et cetera. That's how it was done. It was, in many

respects, in those areas a trimming of the budgets. We still feel the integrity

of the system has been kept and that we will continue to be able to provide

support across the continuum of sport development and recreation.

The

other area where there would have been a reduction overall was in the Community

Healthy Living Fund. That's a fund that provides support for capital grants or

physical activity grants, but also programming grants. So it has the area of a

supportive environment, which is how we support capital development of rec

facilities and sport facilities; programming, so how you run recreation and

sport programming; and capacity building, so those areas of whether it's

coaching or professional development, those things. Again, when we looked

across, we kept the integrity of the system intact and we trimmed $268,000 from

that.

Some of

the allocation in that program would have actually been around electoral

district allocation. That's how some of it was designed. It was around how we

looked at that. With the reduction in the electoral districts, it actually

enabled us to reduce some of that as well. So some of the program was based on X

amount of dollars per electoral district.

MS. ROGERS:

Although the number of

districts has changed, the number of people has not changed

MR. MEADE: No, it

has not.

MS. ROGERS:

and the number of programs has not changed, except

MR. MEADE: No,

that's right. But again, if you're going to look for ways where you could look

at reductions and try to keep the system intact, that's how we determined some

of that.

MS. ROGERS: So I

understand that the focus

will be more on the delivery of programs through the schools?

MR. MEADE:

We've always taken as a

department, and we've done a lot of work in this area, that school-based

programming is absolutely critical to active, healthy Newfoundland and Labrador.

Personally, I have a strong conviction in this area, as many people know. I

think schools are the epicentre of how we will change this in Newfoundland and

Labrador. So we do a lot of work in schools. We do a lot of work through all of

our organizations, all of those mentioned, not just school sport but the others

do work in school base as well.

In the

reduction of the Jumpstart funding, there is $120,000 that is going to be

reallocated for a program that we're working on developing now to support

participation in local sporting events, school-based sporting events. We're

working on that now. That will be announced in the weeks ahead once we finalize

that, but that was a budget decision that there would be $120,000 put towards

how we could further support participation in school-based sporting events

across Newfoundland and Labrador. That will be something we're looking at there

as well.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay, I guess that was sort

of the question I was asking about when the cut to Jumpstart.

Brent,

what happens I understand looking at channelling and supporting more

school-based activities, but, for instance, in my district, Holy Cross Junior

High has just been closed and the kids are bused back and forth. A lot of kids

come from families that don't have vehicles. They will not be able to stay for

after school activities. So would a lot of these sporting activities be outside

of the regular school hours? I would imagine.

The

school, Holy Cross, the kids could walk back and forth to school. Anybody who

wanted to be on the basketball team could be. That's going to be gone for them

now as they get bused to a more distant school. So can you tell me the focus

on the school makes sense in some ways, but if children can access to it and

avail to it. Are most of these activities that will be reinvested into the

schools be after-school activities?

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

As it alludes to school

curriculum and education, we cannot speak to that. You'll have to ask the

Department of Education.

MS. ROGERS:

I know that, yes.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Also, we know that many

programs are delivered at lunchtime. So I'm sure the school will work to the

best of its ability to do that. Again, you will have to ask Education how

they're going to deliver programs.

MS. ROGERS:

Yes, except it is a question

here, because you're saying, well, what we're going to do, philosophically, we

feel it's better delivered through the school. Then, in fact, do the children

actually have access to what we know because we have that high rate of obesity,

diabetes, et cetera, and we need to get our kids more active.

We've

already looked at the cut, the reductions in money for children who are more

disadvantaged. We may be making it more and more difficult. I'm just wondering

if that's been considered.

MR. MEADE:

You raise a very valid issue and a very valid concern, but it's one we're

acutely aware of as well.

We work

very closely with the Department of Education around healthy school planning and

how the programs in that in trying to address that are done within school

time and within the parameters of when transportation options are available to

kids. This is a long-standing challenge around ensuring that kids in schools

have the balance between what their education curriculum teaches them, whether

us to promote healthy living and wellness, including recreation.

We've

had long-standing work in the community around how we could better use schools

for community, and community for schools. So how schools become the place where

we could deliver a lot of this programming is something that has been an ongoing

discussion. We've made substantial headway in that.

I was

the deputy of Tourism, Culture and Recreation eight years ago, and I came back

to the department and one of the very first issues I heard about was community

use of schools. That was something that continues, but we've made headway. I've

seen it in schools that I interact with, that there's more time being used in

the gym, in the school environment for that activity.

Transportation will continue to be something, and that's where we'll continue to

work with Education around how we could work around busing and other things.

It's not only an issue I would suggest to you in the inner city of St.

John's, it's also an issue in rural parts of the province.

MS. ROGERS:

Absolutely.

MR. MEADE:

So it's one that we're acutely aware of, but we have a number of program areas,

and we could provide these to you, how we do things in schools, around after

schools, Participation Nation, et cetera, et cetera. We are, to be honest with

you, trying to entrench in the school system more this time because we know

there is the natural tension of trying to deliver educational curriculum and

educational outcomes with allowing the school to be a place where we do create

healthy environments, and teach and promote healthy living, and active living.

We have

a number of programs that we deliver that are done. There are ways now of

delivering educational programs by use of physical activity, and we're even

trying to integrate that into the classroom. So there are many, many different

ways we're doing that. We could certainly provide briefing material to you that

try to explain how we're trying to break that down.

MS. ROGERS:

And I really appreciate it.

Also, I'm very, very aware of the issue of busing of our children in rural

communities when we see that schools are closing.

In St.

John's Centre alone, five schools in over five years have been closed. So

schools become a focus of being able to deliver more and more; yet, the schools

are closing and children are being bused. It's a difficulty, it's a challenge

and it's the children who lose out because it's the children who are bused;

unless children have families where they can transport their own children or

there's a parent who has the time. I think the reality is glaring.

Thank

you.

CHAIR:

I'm going to suggest that we

take a five-minute break now.

Recess

CHAIR:

Order and get started again.

Ms.

Perry, I'm going to ask you to start again.

MS. PERRY:

Okay, where are we.

Thank

you, Madam Chair.

I'm

going to come back to Health Promotion, Wellness and Sport, page 23.5.

CHAIR:

Pardon me. I didn't hear the

number.

MS. PERRY:

I'm coming back to 2.1.01,

page 23.5.

CHAIR:

Okay.

In line

item 10, Grants and Subsidies, the budgeted amount for 20152016 and the revised

amount, there's a difference of $156,400. Can you explain what cuts were made or

what was not done that was budgeted for in 20152016?

OFFICIAL:

(Inaudible.)

MS. PERRY:

2.1.01.1.10.

MR. MEADE:

That would have just been funding that we never got out the door. Some of it

would have been due to immediate measures. I mean it's a very small variance in

the scheme of $7.392 million. It's $156,000 and we just didn't get it out the

door because of immediate measures.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Going

forward the budgeted amount is quite significant, it's less $1,028,600. Can you

tell us which specific grants and subsidies are being cut?

MR. MEADE:

That was a question that was asked earlier by Ms. Rogers. There are things in

and out. As I explained earlier, the Grants and Subsidies vote under Recreation

and Sport does fluctuate year to year because of one-time funding.

MS. PERRY:

So some of it is the district

realignment and whatnot.

MR. MEADE:

I can quickly try to summarize again what's in and what's out. What would come

out part of the variance is because of forecasted adjustments around one-time

events. For example, last year we would have had $500,000 in for the Labrador

Winter Games. But that was last year; we don't need it this year so that would

come out. We gave $250,000 last year to Special Olympics in Corner Brook because

they had the national Olympics there, the Canada Special Olympics. That wouldn't

occur this year so that would have come out.

We have

money that fluctuates from year to year for Canada Games and for regional game

playdowns. Last year, there would have been $75,000 in there for regional

playdowns. That's not in there this year. There would have been money there for

Canada Games funding last year. That's not in there this year. So that goes up

and down year to year.

Then,

the other part of the variance would be the amount that we've gone through on

the Government Renewal Initiative reductions totaling $740,000, of which

$160,000 was the cancellation of some sport and rec initiatives; the $230,000

net on Jumpstart; $75,000 to the Innu Band Council in Sheshatshiu; and a

No, it's not increased fees.

MS. PERRY:

No. Increased programs?

MR. MEADE:

No, increasing the

programming in amount of time increased programming. You have more

programming; you have to pay people more.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

MR. MEADE:

And people will pay for it more.

You may

recall, I mentioned there was an increase of approximately $12,000 in the

Salaries vote for Recreation and Sport to account for increased programming at

the Corner Brook pool. We would also reflect that in the Revenue because people

pay for the use of the pool.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Line

item 2.1.02, Grants and Subsidies; the budgeted amount for the new fiscal year

is less $168,000. Can you explain where those cuts are?

MR. MEADE:

This is the capital program I mentioned, as an element of the Community Healthy

Living Fund, where we provide assistance for the repair or maintenance for sport

and rec facilities, and also the purchase of equipment, physical activity

equipment, and things like that, sport equipment.

So there

was a reduction of $168,000. That was again related back to I mentioned

earlier about how some of the capital programing was done by district. It would

have been an amount by district. Because the number of districts is reduced from

48 to 40, we took that money out there. So that's what that would be.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Can we

get an itemized list of the allocations in specific programs for Grants and

Subsidies for 2016-2017, what you have budgeted?

MR. MEADE:

Yes, we can.

MS. PERRY:

Thank you.

Moving

ahead, then, to the following page under 2.1.03, can you explain why Salaries

was over last year and why there is a $10,000 decrease moving forward for

2016-2017?

MR. MEADE:

The increase last year was

related to the retirement cost for one of the staff members who left. So the

$24,000 increase was related to the cost of their retirement, leaving. The

reduction is just that we have a new employee actually it was a replacement.

She's on a lower scale.

MS. PERRY:

A lower scale, okay.

Why have

Purchased Services under 2.1.03.01 been increased for 2016-2017?

MR. MEADE:

That's, again, due to

line-by-line review. When we looked at historical spending though, it didn't

occur last year, that's understood.

MS. PERRY:

Yes, last year it was only

$6,000.

MR. MEADE:

If you look at the historical

spending that we do under Purchased Services in this division, it is around the

$27,000, $28,000 range.

MS. PERRY:

Can we get an itemized list

of what services you expect to purchase in the coming year?

MR. MEADE:

Yes, we can certainly do it

to the best of our ability at this point in time.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Again,

on the Grants and Subsidies line, we see an increase of $450,500 allocated from

last year's budget. So moving forward now to 2016-2017, you've added close to

$500,000 well, $450,000, $500,000 can you explain what that increase is for,

or does that increase relate to last year's actual?

MR. MEADE:

Again, there are a few things

in here and there are a few things moved from other areas, and also then the new

initiatives. Here we would have there was $262,000 actually in the activity

below that. See Support to Community Agencies?

MS. PERRY:

Yes.

MR. MEADE:

There would have been

$260,000 in that account. I can explain why it still flatlines there because

there was money moved into that as well. That was moved up because it wasn't

considered to be core operating Support to Community Agencies. It was support to

our Regional Wellness Coalitions. That was moved in.

There's

$100,000 that was added into this Grants and Subsidies account for the renewal

of the Smokers' Helpline. You'll actually also see that offset by federal,

because that's a federal partnership we have. There was $100,000 for a renewed

agreement on the Smokers' Helpline.

The

$250,000 that the minister referenced in her opening comments around the Smoking

Cessation Program, the new money that we will use is in here.

MS. PERRY:

MR. JONES:

The Healthy Living budget there of $1.2 million breaks down in various ways. The

allocation that is essentially allocated for a variety of healthy living

activities not already attributed to something is around $300,000 this year.

It varies.

If in

'15-'16 it was $350,000, now it would be $250,000. It is from that, that we

support initiatives like Eat Great and Participate. It's a program that we

partner with Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador to work with communities'

recreation facilities around encouraging healthy eating in recreation and

community settings.

It's

from there that we would provide support to Food First NL, formally known as the

Food Security Network. They just released a wonderful new online resource around

healthy eating for seniors and brought together a bunch of resources.

Those

activities fluctuate from year to year. What we'd do on an annual basis, using

our wellness plan as the baseline of what are our priorities, we work with our

partners, we communication with them, what's in the work plan, and from year to

year different activities are supported to different levels. So it's not an

allocation per se to each activity year in, year out. It's based on the activity

that is planned and what is needed from year to year.

It is

that pot of money that was $350,000ish, would now be $250,000ish.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Can we

get an itemized list of the actual Grants and Subsidies that were spent in

2015-2016, and the programs and category allocations for 2016-2017?

OFFICIAL:

Yes.

MS. PERRY:

Thank you.

CHAIR:

Thank you, Ms. Perry.

We'll

move to Ms. Rogers.

MS. ROGERS:

Thank you very much.

I'm

sorry I missed your introduction, Minister. I'm very, very happy that there is a

smoking cessation program.

Did you

explain at the beginning what shape and format that would take? How it would be

delivered?

If you

already have, I wouldn't expect you to repeat it.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

We haven't rolled it out yet.

We are looking at some technology. As we roll it out, we will give the details.

explained the amount of money that was going to be attached to it for this

fiscal year.

MS. ROGERS:

That was $250,000?

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Yes.

MS. ROGERS:

Province-wide.

The

actual design of the program and how it's going to be delivered, we will hear

about that

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

When we have it designed,

yes.

MS. ROGERS:

All right, great. Thanks.

Also,

some other departments in this session of Estimates provided briefing books.

Would we be able to have the briefing book as well?

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Yes.

MS. ROGERS:

That's great.

You know

what would have been ideal too, I guess, is to be able to have it before

Estimates. We'd be able to have that information before the actual Estimates

session, would be great as we go forward.

The

Healthy Living, 2.1.03; I believe my colleague already asked for a breakdown of

the programs in the Healthy Living Division.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Yes.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay, great. Thank you.

Can you

tell me the status of the Healthy Living consultants? Do we still have five? Are

they full-time, permanent positions?

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Yes, we do.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay.

Could

you just give me a list of what those positions are?

MR. MEADE:

We can provide a list of the

consultants, but that division is fully staffed right now

MS. ROGERS:

It's fully staffed?

MR. MEADE:

Yes.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay, great. Thank you very

much.

I would

like to move on to Seniors, Aging and Social Development. Under Salaries, we see

there is an increase in Purchased Services. What would that be for?

MR. MEADE:

What has been voted in there is the $100,000 that the minister would have

alluded to in her opening remarks around in the establishment of the office of

the seniors' advocate, there's $250,000 allocated for that this year; $100,000

of that will be used to raise awareness of the establishment of the office, but

probably more importantly, of the existing services and programs that are

available to seniors, not only through government but other community-based

organizations.

One of

the things we did here in our consultations around the seniors' advocate office,

and generally with senior groups, is that seniors don't know enough about the

programs and services that are out there. So we determined that a good

opportunity, a good time to do that would be around the establishment of the

office of the seniors' advocate. That would be a good time for us to raise

awareness about the programs and services available to seniors.

MS. ROGERS:

What kinds of services are

available that you think seniors don't know about?

MR. MEADE:

It would be any number within government.

The

Seniors Resource Centre, for example, is an organization that we now make a

contribution of $300,000 a year to. It is primarily to play the role of an

information and referral service. Our analysis and our evidence were saying to

us that seniors were having challenges navigating the government system. This is

something that government is constantly challenged with is how people can find

out about programs and services and how they can navigate the system.

determined that a very sound approach to do that would be with a community-based

organization like the Seniors Resource Centre, peers helping peers, in many

respects, leveraging their volunteer capacity and their reach. That's what we've

done with it.

that's an example of but it may be any number of services, Ms. Rogers. It may

be services in health or in our department or other departments that people are

wondering about.

Primarily, it is the health system where seniors are trying to navigate,

particularly, but it may be also in the area of financial assistance or even

understanding the income tax and how they can apply for the supplements. What do

the supplements mean to them? Those kinds of things are the things we find

people will ask about.

MS. ROGERS:

We get those calls to our

office as well.

MR. MEADE:

That's right.

MS. ROGERS:

Particularly because of the

high number of seniors in our province who are living in poverty.

MR. MEADE:

Right.

The

other thing we heard was people don't even understand about established systems

that are available in government like the Office of the Citizens' Rep, for

example. Those are the kind of things that we would try to promote, make

awareness of. This is the infrastructure that's there, those are the services

that are available to you and, in particular, it would be around promoting the

navigation systems that are available to them like SRC, the office of the

seniors' advocate and whatnot.

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

I just want to add, when I

met with the Seniors Resource Centre and the 50+ Federation and my provincial

advisory council, this is what they told me. They told me they want an

investment in the resources and supports and services that were already out

there, an awareness investment, and then we would move on from that.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay.

Can you

tell me how much the Seniors Resource Centre has asked for, for a grant this

year?

MR. MEADE:

They asked for the $300,000. When we increased it from $100,000 to $300,000 last

August or September, that was based on many months of consultation and

evaluation of the Seniors Resource Centre.

You may

be aware that we funded an evaluation of the SRC, which concluded there were a

number of recommendations but its main conclusion was your core service, your

bread and butter, what you should really focus on is information referral.

That's your strength. That's the service you're best positioned for and the

evaluation concluded is in most need of being met.

It was

based on that then that they also did some analysis on what their operational

requirements would be and that's where the $300,000 came from. So they're

receiving what they asked for and the understanding we have with them to provide

that service.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay.

Grants and Subsidies, 10, we see a reduction of $592,300. Can you tell me where

those reductions would be applied?

MR. MEADE:

It's not a reduction; it's a transfer. So there is $200,000 that was actually

moved from there to support the community agencies, which is activity 2.1.04 for

SRC. We now consider the Seniors Resource Centre as a community agency that

we're providing core operating support to, so we felt it best to move it into

the activity that does that for all of the other organizations. So that's what

we did.

There

was $87,000 transferred from this account to go to Western Health around Adult

Protection. When the Adult Protection Act

was proclaimed, there were positions put in each of the health authorities,

social work positions, to deal with Adult Protection. Western was the last one

to fill the position and draw down its funding. So it was still in our account.

The others had long been transferred out. That was transferred out this year.

To fund

the Director of Adult Protection, a decision was made that we would fund it. We

were asked to try to find it internally and we found it through the Grants and

Subsidies vote there. So there was money moved from Grants and Subsidies to

Salaries to cover the Director of Adult Protection. And there was a reduction of

$200,000 through Government Renewal Initiative; $100,000 was reduced in healthy

aging transportation project, it went from $400,000 to $300,000; and the senior

rec grants, which were actually brought into the Community Healthy Living Fund,

that was reduced.

Essentially, what happened several years ago is senior rec grants were

introduced as target-specific rec grants out there but, as a department, we're

ageless in our program delivery. We are ageless and seniors' groups can come in

and access any of the programs. So our view is that the Community Healthy Living

Fund is fully able to fund all of the activities that were being funded under

that target program at that time. That's what occurred there, so that's a

reduction.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay.

Is there

a reduction to others as a result of this because we see a reduction in money

what kinds of grants and subsidies would this have covered before that it's no

longer covering? Because now $200,000 is going to the Seniors Resource Centre,

which I think is a good thing so what are we missing? What would have

traditionally been funded here?

MR. MEADE:

There would have been a couple of things. One is it would have been one-off

projects on a year-by-year basis. But to be totally transparent and honest,

there were slipped balances on the Grants and Subsidies vote here for several

years.

MS. ROGERS:

What does that mean?

MR. MEADE:

There were slipped balances, there were balances they were not spending all of

the grant subsidy money. So if you looked at the trending, the historical

expenditures in Grants and Subsidies and Seniors and Aging, they were dropping

money every year. They were not spending all of their grant and subsidy money.

MS. ROGERS:

Why do you think that might

be when we know that there's such a need?

MR. MEADE:

It would be a number of things: maybe not being requested for and the system,

the government, were meeting the needs through other programs and services.

That's the reality of it. That's where we see it being. But again, some of this

is moving money around as well. For example, the Seniors Resource Centre was

getting well, $200,000 was a jump. They were getting incremental money at

least two prior times of that of $50,000 to $60,000 as one-time funding as well.

So it was being used for those kinds of things.

CHAIR:

Ms. Rogers, we can move again

now; the time is up on the clock.

Ms.

Perry.

MS. PERRY:

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Going

back to line item 2.1.03, Healthy Living, under the Revenue

section federally,

can you tell us what that $100,000 in revenue is?

MR. MEADE:

It's the Smokers' Helpline.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Section

2.1.04, we see a very slight increase of $5,300 for the new year. Can you

explain what that is?

MR. MEADE:

There are a number of things

in and out of that account, but it netted at that. There was $200,000 moved into

that account for the Seniors Resource Centre; I referred to that earlier. There

was $100,000 for the School Lunch Program that was actually transferred from the

Office of Public Engagement, so that moved into here. We moved $262,000 out of

this up above to Healthy Living, and that's why they were up in their Grants and

Subsidies, for the Regional Wellness Coalitions.

Basically, at the end of the day, it is stuff being moved in, moved out, but it

ends up netting out at that.

MS. PERRY:

Okay, can I

MR. MEADE:

The important thing to note

here this is where I should note. A commitment was made in this activity to

community-based organizations that their funding would remain whole this year.

So that's why there's no change. For all intents and purposes, this is money in

and out. There's no change in the core support in this activity because of that

commitment.

MS. PERRY:

Can we get a list of all the

Anywhere we have Grants and

Subsidies, we will provide that for you.

MS. PERRY:

Okay, thank you so much.

Moving

now to Seniors, Aging and Social Development,

section 3.1.01, we saw an increase

in the revised amount spent last year over the actual budget. And then from last

year's budget amount of $382,500, this year we're seeing an allocation of

$515,700. Can you explain both those increases?

MR. MEADE:

The variance last year would be due to we hired a grad student to work in that

division and it was funded actually from salary savings in other areas of the

department, but it was reflected in this area. As well, the director was

reclassified and would receive retro pay. That's what leads that small variance

there.

The

$515,000 from the $382,000 or from the $415,000 however you would like to view

it would be the Director of Adult Protection.

MS. PERRY:

The Director of

MR. MEADE:

Adult Protection. They're now budgeted for there. The increase there is because

of that position being created.

MS. PERRY:

MS. PERRY:

Yes. So you'll be going to

tender, of course, for that advertising campaign?

MR. MEADE:

What was the question, I'm sorry?

MS. PERRY:

You'll be going to tender for

that advertising campaign? How is it done?

MR. MEADE:

Well, we haven't determined that yet but, yes, we would most likely need to

procure marketing and communication assistance. That would normally go to

market, yes.

MS. PERRY:

it this year.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Can we

get a copy of that data as well?

MR. MEADE:

It would be published data,

Stats Canada, but we can certainly provide it to you.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

The

Professional Services budget has been cut in half. What type of professional

services did you incur last year and what do you expect not to do this year?

MR. MEADE:

We didn't incur any expenses

for professional services last year, as indicated there. Professional services

are where you would hire consultants or expertise to evaluate or research a

particular issue that you may be looking for. So the poverty reduction division

has over the years from time to time hired external consultants to look at a

particular policy area or a particular issue. We did not last year.

Because

of the historical spending in that area, so they have not normally drawn down

the $50,000, they were given $25,000 on a go-forward basis.

MS. PERRY:

So it's a contingency for

unforeseen consulting?

MR. MEADE:

Yes, it is.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Then

moving into Seniors, Aging and Social Development, in line item 10, page 23.9,

the Grants and Subsidies allocation is $150,000 less this year. Where

specifically are those cuts?

MR. MEADE:

The variance here is, due to

the Government Renewal Initiative, we have two grant programs in this area. We

have several grant programs in the Disability Policy Office, but two of them

would be inclusion grants and capacity grants. What they would have done,

inclusion grants would support, for example, community-based organizations

looking to build accessible features to their buildings, ramps, stuff like that.

We may assist with assistive technologies for community-based organizations in

carrying out their business, et cetera.

Capacity

grants were grants that we were using to partner with community-based

organizations to deliver on particular elements of the Disability Policy Office

and particularly the inclusion action plan. So that was a total of $600,000

between those two programs. We combined the two programs and we've reduced it by

$150,000 down to $450,000.

MS. PERRY:

Through savings and

administration?

MR. MEADE:

No, through savings in terms

of we've reduced the amount of money.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

MR. MEADE:

It's a government renewal

reduction.

All

other grants and subsidies and that's the only variance. All other programs

and services in Disability Policy Office have continued including Accessible

Vehicle Program, Accessible Taxi Program, our Para-Transit Grant with the city,

et cetera, they remain intact.

MS. PERRY:

Of the 650 positions

announced in the budget that are being cut, how many of them are here in this

department?

MR. MEADE:

None.

MS. PERRY:

None?

MR. MEADE:

We have no layoffs.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

How do

you think persons with disabilities are going to be impacted by the increase in

the client share of paid home supports over at the Department of Health? Is

there anything they're going to be doing through this department to help offset

some of that?

It is a

Department of Health program. They help subsidized home care. There's going to

be an increase in the financial assessment model is being revised and the

clients will be expected to pay a higher share. Are you going to do anything to

offset the impact that will have on seniors and persons with disabilities?

MR. MEADE:

It's a question that I would refer to Health and Community Services. We do not

have any programming here that is meant to directly address any of the the

issue you are raising would probably better be directed when you have Estimates

with Health and Community Services.

MS. PERRY:

Okay.

Madam

Chair, I think it's now Gerry's turn.

CHAIR:

Ms. Rogers.

MS. ROGERS:

Thank you very much.

I would

like to just go back to the age-friendly transportation program being cut from

$400,000 to $300,000. Can you tell me why that was cut, and was the money being

used? Will the cut affect people?

MR. MEADE:

It's been used to date though we did not have any expenditure in it this year

to fund pilot projects in several areas of the province. Those pilot projects

are under evaluation now. We're hoping to complete the evaluation in the next

short time period, the next few weeks, of which then that will inform how we go

forward.

There is

$300,000 allocated for seniors' transportation, or healthy aging transportation

project as we go forward. So depending on the results of the evaluation, we will

have $300,000 to deliver on the next phase of that.

MS. ROGERS:

There were four or five pilot projects? How many?

MR. MEADE:

There were, yes.

MS. ROGERS:

How many were there, Brent?

MR. MEADE:

I believe there were five. I apologize; I don't have those details with me

MS. ROGERS:

That's okay.

MR. MEADE:

but I know there was one on the West Coast, there was one in Central, there

was one in Clarenville. I can get you those details, but there were four or five

of them

MS. ROGERS:

That's right, yes.

MR. MEADE:

There were five of them over a period of four or five years, over three years

the community now in how best to use that money to leverage the things we want

to do.

There

were really two things that were going on in those grant programs. Inclusion

grants were being used to support community-based organizations in ensuring they

had inclusion services and facilities. It might have been from assisting to

build a ramp or an accessible entrance to a building, to assistive technologies,

to what have you.

The

capacity grants were largely driven by the Disability Policy Office in

partnership with community to deliver on the inclusion action plan. That's where

we would have done things like the accessible election work that we would have

done with COD-NL. The blue zone parking initiative we would have done with them.

There

are a number of things we would have delivered; a visual alarm program that we

would have delivered with the Hard of Hearing Association. So there are those

types of things we would have done that would have been delivered in partnership

with they will continue. Those things will continue.

Like I

say, it's really where we're trying to bring that money now, that was at one

time $600,000 in total, down to $450,000 and how we can best work with the

community to leverage that and continue to deliver the services we're

delivering, and meet the needs of the community organizations that are looking

for funding for particular initiatives.

MS. ROGERS:

So, in fact, it's $150,000

less available to community groups who are providing services in the community?

MS. GAMBIN-WALSH:

Our fiscal situation demanded

that we look at all programs and determine need. Based on experience and based

on some programs that we're going to be moving forward with the community, there

was a $150,000 reduction.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay, thank you.

I only

have one last question I would like to ask and that's going back to Seniors,

Aging.

Can we

have an update on the Adult Protection

Act? What kinds of reports, referrals, the types of abuse, et cetera? How

that has been rolling out.

MR. MEADE:

For the period of June 30,

2014 that's when the act came in to December 31, 2015, we've had 418

reports, 23 of those have gone to investigation.

What we

are finding is the longer the act is in place, the more awareness is around it,

particularly, in the regions and through the regional health authorities. We are

starting to see slight increases on a quarter-by-quarter basis in the number of

reports.

I don't

know if that answers your question.

We are

seeing some complex cases come forward. That's really what led to the need to

create a full-time position in a Director of Adult Protection where Dr. Suzanne

Brake, who is Director of Seniors and Aging, was also carrying out the

responsibility of Director of Adult Protection.

There

are eight individuals who are in the custody and care of the Director of Adult

Protection right now. That number has held now for several months. So that's

where we are right now.

MS. ROGERS:

Has that position been filled

or is it going to be filled?

MR. MEADE:

No, it will be filled. Right

now, Dr. Suzanne Brake fulfills that role, quite ably. A dedicated position will

be created and filled in the coming months.

MS. ROGERS:

Okay.

I would

like to thank you very, very much for your work. Again, I realize, we all

realize, the incredible financial strain that the province is under and the

difficult decisions that have had to be made.

Today,

we can see some of the very difficult ones that you've had to make,

particularly, when we really look at the rollout and how it might affect some of

the more vulnerable people in our society. It's not good news.

Again, I

thank you for your work and I thank you for your time this morning.

MR. MEADE:

Thank you.

CHAIR:

No further questions from the

Shall 1.2.01 to 3.1.03

inclusive carry?

All

those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

those in favour, 'aye.'

SOME HON. MEMBERS:

Aye.

CHAIR:

All those against, 'nay.'

Carried.

motion, Estimates of the Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

carried without amendment.

CHAIR:

I will now need a mover from

the minutes of April 18, Fire and Emergency Services and Municipal Affairs.

MR. LANE:

So moved.

CHAIR:

So moved. Thank you.

motion, minutes adopted as circulated.

CHAIR:

Now we'll have a mover to

adjourn.

Our next

meeting will be on April 26 at 9 a.m. when we will be covering the Estimates of

Education and Early Childhood Development.

Do we

have a mover to adjourn the Estimates from this morning?

Carol

Anne.

Thank

you everybody and safe driving when you head home at whatever time you do that

today.

motion, the Committee adjourned.

Document details

Collection	Newfoundland and Labrador — Committees
Citation	2016-04-20
Type	committee
Volume / chapter	committees standingcommittees socialservices ga48 2016-04-20sscdepartmentofseniorswellnessandsocialdevelopmentandnlhc
Language	en
Format	html
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	2c529489e6c2f55db40ac1871ef3a69ebd52b9d7

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (html).