I understand the government's position; however, given that the department has not yet conducted a risk assessment, it's difficult to say exactly what the risk might be. If the biggest cleanup required for HNS to date is $60 million—there's no draw-down on the fund, because the fund hasn't yet been implemented anywhere—and the department has not conducted a risk assessment, nor has the panel turned its mind to HNS yet, it is difficult for us to state categorically that $165 million is enough. The $400 million comes into play only when it's an oil spill, which then comes back to the whole discussion of oil again.
I understand the government's reluctance to deal with this SOPF in any way other than as it applies to oil, but perhaps we can, after the fact.... If there's money available that will save the Canadian taxpayers money in the long run, then maybe we should be looking at asking the other transporters of hazardous and noxious substances to contribute to a uniquely Canadian fund, the SOPF, in other words, to provide yet another backstop. It may never be needed, but in the event that it is, I believe the taxpayers would rather we were being prudent than leaving the taxpayers open to a significant liability.