Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You are very kind to give me an opportunity to ask one final question.
Minister, I think that it is futile to ask you to provide us with the ball-park figure that it will take to resolve the fiscal imbalance in a comprehensive fashion. We have our own order of magnitude. If you would like, we would be happy to provide you with some advice on the matter.
My question pertains to the program for older worker adjustment. We discussed the matter before the budget was tabled. Right up until the time that the budget went to press, I was telling you about an analysis that we were doing — and we are not the only one to have done so — showing that workers aged 55 and older, and in particular those in the manufacturing sector are not eligible for retraining programs. As for the softwood lumber sector, everyone is aware of the difficulties it is going through. These people often live in a region where there is only one industry or where there are but a few. However, even when they exist, employers do not rehire people who have hit the age of 55 or 60 for a few years of employment. They prefer to invest in people who are a bit younger and who will remain with the company longer.
Since the end of POWA the Program for Older Worker Adjustment, tragedies have occurred because when companies do poorly and massive layoffs occur, often husbands and wives both lose their jobs.
You made a commitment to undertake a feasibility study, that is all well and good. You want to know what you are getting into. Nevertheless, I would like to point out two things to you. We have estimated that it may cost $100 million per year...