Government Operations committee  No. The actual applications came from the provinces, and it was the first time they were using the electronic method. We found there were issues with the data that was inputted. There were discrepancies, so we had to make sure we cleaned it up with the provinces. We did provide the Parliamentary Budget Officer with what we have, but our chief financial officer hasn't gone through them yet.

Government Operations committee  If it's exactly the same package, sure.

Government Operations committee  You'll run into the same language problems.

Government Operations committee  We have the information.

Government Operations committee  The government has been clear about the March 2011 deadline. That is the deadline we're working towards. The quarterly reports we're getting from the provinces serve as assessment tools. We are going to check on the status of each project to see if there is anything we, our provincial partners, or the municipalities can do to speed the work up.

Government Operations committee  I cannot comment on a political question. However, we can explain to you how the process runs. The project applications come from various proponents. It could be through the province or a municipality, and municipalities can get it from various proponents. There's a long list of applications.

Government Operations committee  It's not the government's intention to disadvantage any province.

Government Operations committee  It's a dollar amount.

Government Operations committee  No. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, and we have been stressing this very important point, it is the federal government along with our partners, the provinces, the municipalities. This is important, for a number of reasons. It allows for joint decision-making, but it is also important that the money will go to the projects on the ground where the need is.

Government Operations committee  Yes, absolutely. Because we have a two-year timeframe for this program, a lot of renewal applications did come in, because they can actually be physically finished within one construction season or even less. For example, road resurfacing is very fast to do. It is very much needed, but it is a much easier project to do.

Government Operations committee  Jobs for Canadians and jobs for those who are unemployed are absolutely critical. Economists and governments around the world believe one of the best ways to actually stimulate the economy and create employment activity is through infrastructure projects. As I mentioned before, the overall job numbers are reported to Parliament on a macro level, on all the economic stimulus package, not only on infrastructure.

Government Operations committee  Are under way.

Government Operations committee  We'll read and then we'll provide the documents.

Government Operations committee  Would you like us to give you a breakdown by province of what has started?

Government Operations committee  Under way, by program.