Good afternoon, everyone. We're here, as you know, to continue our study on resource development in northern Canada.
There are a couple of quick issues to deal with before we go to the witnesses. The first is the budget. We talked about it the other day, but the bells were ringing and there wasn't agreement to have a vote.
You have a proposed budget in front of you, or soon will. This budget is to cover witness costs. The clerk has indicated that there has been a good, positive response from witnesses. We've had brief discussions today about possibly increasing the amount from the $78,200 on the form to maybe $98,000, because we have a lot of witnesses from the territories, and their cost of travel is quite a bit higher than it is for other witnesses. So if it's the will of the committee, we could increase that now. We don't have to spend it, of course, but if we have to, at least we won't have to go back and get another budget approved if in fact we need more.
Would it be agreed that we would pass a budget for $98,200 instead of the $78,200, and that I take that to the liaison committee to see if we can get approval?
Go ahead, Monsieur Gravelle.