The Committee met at 11:40 a.m. in the Assembly Chamber.

CHAIR (Brazil): I want to start now the continuation of the Resource Committee on Advanced Education and Skills from May 8, 2012. I want to again start by asking the Committee to introduce themselves.

MR. CROSS: Eli Cross, Bonavista North.

MR. RUSSELL: Keith Russell, MHA, Lake Melville.

MS PERRY: Tracey Perry, MHA, Fortune Bay – Cape La Hune.

MS MICHAEL: Lorraine Michael, Signal Hill – Quidi Vidi.

CHAIR: I thank the Committee.

I want to start by doing a bit of housekeeping. Can I have a motion to adopt the minutes from the May 15, 2012 meeting, the Department of Innovation, Business, and Rural Development?

MR. RUSSELL: So moved.

CHAIR: Moved by the Member for Lake Melville.

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: Those opposed?

Motion carried.

On motion, minutes adopted as circulated.

CHAIR: Now I am looking for a motion to adopt subhead 7.1.02 to 7.5.01 under Advanced Education and Skills budget lines.

Moved by the Member for Fortune Bay – Cape La Hune.

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

MS MICHAEL: I have a question, Mr. Chair, about these minutes. You are looking at the May 8, minutes, I take it.

CHAIR: Yes, we are.

MS MICHAEL: The May 8 minutes do not reflect what happened at the meeting. I know that point four says that the Committee moved without amendment subheads 1.1.01 to 7.1.01 inclusive. I think it is important that we point out that there was no discussion, there was no opportunity for Committee members – and our Committee member had questions – to raise questions under subhead 7.1.02 to subhead 7.5.01.

CHAIR: Okay, so noted.

I would like to clarify, though, there was an offer by the minister to stay, additionally, up to an hour, but unfortunately some members of the Opposition were not able to take advantage of that. The minister outlined her schedule and her staff schedule that I discussed to see if we were able to reconvene, which unfortunately we were not able to. So, that will be noted in the minutes.

MS MICHAEL: Thank you.

With that note in the minutes about what I said, then I will be able to approve the minutes as being accurate, but without it I would not be able to approve them as being accurate.

CHAIR: Okay, fair enough. That is accurate from the conversation. The note I added to it was also part of the discussions before we concluded on that day. The additions have been added.

Is there any further discussion?

If not, all in favour signify by saying aye.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: Opposed?

Motion carried.

On motion, subheads 7.1.02 through 7.5.01 carried.

CHAIR: That being said, now we would like a motion to adopt the minutes of the Department of Advanced Education and Skills to conclude then the Resource Committee's report.

MR. CROSS: So moved.

CHAIR: Motion made by the Member for Bonavista North.

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: Opposed?

Motion carried.

Ms Michael.

MS MICHAEL: I would like to make a point for the minutes of this meeting.

CHAIR: Sure.

MS MICHAEL: It needs to be pointed out that while it did not happen during the meeting itself, there was further discussion. Our representative, Mr. Kirby, who was replacing me, did not get the opportunity to ask questions that were very important to be asked. It was not the fault of the Committee members that they could not continue. The House was opening at 1:30 in the afternoon and Opposition members need their time to get ready.

I want it noted in these minutes that we are not happy with the fact that this Committee was not reconvened in order for the rest of the heads to be discussed. I do want that put in the minutes.

CHAIR: So noted. It will be in the minutes.

After hearing the addition to the minutes, those in favour of adopting the minutes, signify by saying aye.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: Opposed?

Minutes carried.

On motion, minutes adopted as circulated.

CHAIR: With no further business, a motion to adjourn the Resource Committee? We are finished our due diligence and our job.

MR. RUSSELL: So moved.

CHAIR: So moved by the Member for Lake Melville.

All those in favour, ‘aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

CHAIR: Motion carried.

Thank you, Committee members. Thank you, members of the Clerk's Office.

On motion, the Committee adjourned sine die.