Debates of March 24th, 2004

Carol Skelton Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK

With regard to the dredging of Wascana Lake in Regina: ( a ) what is the total financial contribution by the government to this project; ( b ) how much in total has been pledged by the government and its representative; ( c ) what is the total amount that has been transferred to date; and ( d ) from which department and agency budgets will this funding come?

Geoff Regan Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

The answer is as follows: With regard to (a) On October 3, 2003, the three levels of government--national, provincial, and municipal--announced an $18 million project to deepen Wascana Lake. The Government of Canada has committed $9 million to the project, the province has committed $5 million and the City of Regina has committed $4 million. The Wascana Centre Authority will be the beneficiary of the project.

With regard to (b) A total of $18 million was pledged by three levels of government. The Government of Canada's representative is Infrastructure Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan's representative is Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation.

With regard to (c) Infrastructure Canada is currently working on the transfer of funds arrangement. Technically, the arrangement is through a contribution agreement, not a transfer . This is likely to be accomplished through a bilateral agreement between Saskatchewan and Canada. In a bilateral agreement, Saskatchewan, represented by Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation, will be responsible for paying the bills, and then will invoice the other two partners.

With regard to (d) Infrastructure Canada, as the Government of Canada's representative, will provide up to $9 million towards this project.

Gary Schellenberger Perth—Middlesex, ON

To date, how much has it cost to grow marijuana underground in the mine in Manitoba?

James Rajotte Edmonton Southwest, AB

Since 1995 and for each fiscal year since, with respect to Technology Partnerships Canada (and including the IRAP TPC program) and the Atlantic Innovation Fund: ( a ) how many loans have been made; ( b ) what is the dollar value of these loans; ( c ) how much has actually been repaid; ( d ) how much was supposed to have been repaid based on the original agreements; ( e ) how many loans have been made to each province; ( f ) what is the dollar value of the loans in each province; ( g ) have any recipients of loans under these agreements defaulted on payments, yes or no; ( h ) how much has been written off; ( i ) how many jobs were expected to be created in each province; ( j ) how many were actually created in each province; ( k ) who has signing authority for these projects; ( l ) what other federal departments or agencies consulted prior to signing an agreement; and ( m ) what is the role of these other agencies?

(Return tabled)