The department's structural deficit is really internal. It affects what we call our vote 1s. The origin of the deficit goes back as far as 2003. There have been reduction exercises in the past that were not implemented at the department. There were also other secondary measures. As a result of all that, the structural deficit amounted to about $60 million two years ago. In recent years, all departments and agencies have absorbed their payroll budgets, as a result of which the deficit has grown to approximately $66 million.
Before the budget, we had cut the deficit by $40 million by refocusing on our priorities. For example, we reduced our international spending, our programs and travel. We cut our spending on management of intergovernmental issues. We reviewed the operation of our internal services and established consolidated services. We transformed some aspects to make them simpler, less complicated and less costly. We consolidated our space.
Taking all that together, we had eliminated $40 million of the $66-million deficit before the 2012 budget. Over the next three years, we will eliminate the remaining $26 million.
The minister has been very clear. He has said publicly that he is making an effort to eliminate his internal structural deficit in order to protect program funding.