Finance committee  Thank you for your questions. First of all, you're right. I think it was 15 or 20 years ago that trades were taken out of the high schools. IT was brought in during the IT bubble, and now that has dissipated. The $500 million we're asking for is for infrastructure, but a big part of it is capital equipment as well.

Finance committee  You're right, there has been some positive impact with regard to the KIP funding, but one of the things KIP didn't include was capital equipment. We're renovating the facilities, but we don't have the resources to buy some of the lab equipment, so that's a bit of a shortage. With regard to the $500 million, that is a national figure.

Finance committee  That's part of it, that's correct.

Finance committee  Actually, when you look at innovation and research, we are slipping as a country to where we stood internationally. Also, with the emerging economies of India, China, and now Brazil, I would say that within a few years they will be extremely well positioned to challenge Canadian business with regard to having a highly skilled workforce.

Finance committee  Thank you very much. My name is Brian McMillan. I'm the past chair of the Atlantic Provinces Community College Consortium. With me is my colleague Ken MacRae. He is the executive director. I know you have copies of our submission, so I'll just speak to some of the highlights, given that the time is limited.