Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, welcome to your new position and welcome to the committee. I was very pleased to note that you did support the NDP motion, which called on the government to invest in economic development and move forward on treaty implementation and on a full and meaningful consultation on key policy and legislation. I was very pleased to see that you supported the principle for that motion.
It's unfortunate today that we're being asked to deal with the main estimates without the department's plans and priorities. What we have before us is incomplete information, and it's going to be difficult for us to vote for the main estimates when we are being asked to consider information without that very important document on the plans and priorities. I would presume that the minister would be prepared to come before the committee once we get the department's plans and priorities.
As you know, we have limited time. I'm going to give you four questions, and I would ask that you reply in writing. For the last question, I'd like you to reply verbally. That has been past practice, and we've been very grateful that the minister and the department have been willing to do that.
One question we'd like a reply in writing on is, what are the department's plans? You noted in your speech that there is a 2.3% increase in the department's spending for this coming year, but in effect, there's been a 2% funding cap in place since 1996, despite the growth in the population. I believe the Auditor General indicated it was about 11%. I wonder if, in writing, you could provide the committee with what the department's plans are to address the population growth and move that 2% funding cap.
The next question to which I would appreciate a response in writing is with regard to consultation and policy development. In the main estimates, there is a decrease of approximately $18 million from the previous fiscal year with regard to contributions for the purposes of consultation and policy development. I wonder if the department could indicate how it intends to fulfill its commitments around consultation, especially with regard to a number of key pieces of legislation that are coming forward.
The main estimates have indicated there's a reduction of $40 million to the income assistance program. I wonder if the minister and the department could let the committee know how they're going to deal with the significant impact, which has been noted by a judge in New Brunswick, that reductions in the income assistance program will have on those communities that are already living well below the poverty line.
The last written response I would appreciate has to do with the status of the fiscal harmonization negotiations and how that's moving forward.
The question I'd like you to address before the committee today is with regard to first nations education. You've indicated in the main estimates that there's an increase of $115 million. I wonder if you could tell the committee a couple of things.
First of all, I understand there are seven consultations that are going to be taking place, or have started to take place, with regard to the new first nation education act. Is that the extent of the consultations, and how much is the department willing to change? I understand there were proposals put forward. How much are they willing to change the proposals they put forward in those consultations? How much of that $115 million will go into direct delivery of education in the classroom?