Government Operations committee  We are in fact applying the model to quite a range of procurements. I would say that's not just the complex procurements, which are often on the military side, but also in terms of very complex procurements that may not have the same range or dollar value. For example, right now with the fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft, we've had extensive, and continue to have extensive, engagement with industry.

Government Operations committee  Thank you for your question. The amount requested in the supplementary estimates (B) is really for the project definition stage. We are currently discussing the matter with the various tenant departments, the City of Québec and the National Battlefields Commission, and we are completing exploratory analyses of the lands and various buildings.

Government Operations committee  I am getting to that. Our objective is to be able to issue the construction contracts and start work in early 2015 for occupancy in 2017.

Government Operations committee  The amounts appearing in the estimates and what you have in the report on plans and priorities show the curve of the increase in expenditures as a result of the pay system modernization project and so that we can finish consolidating the people, the human resources, or rather the people who will be working and providing pay services.

Government Operations committee  I believe it will be in 2015-2016. The savings will begin in 2016-2017. Savings are also attached to this and are in the order of $78 million.

Government Operations committee  We have 19 assets of all kinds. They include wharves, bridges, dams and even a section of the Alaska highway. What can I say? It is a diversified portfolio. A portion of the amounts requested in the supplementary estimates will be allocated to Chaudière Crossing, the Burlington Lift Bridge, Chaudière Falls Dam and Des Allumettes Bridge.

Government Operations committee  I think it is for the dam or the crossing.

Government Operations committee  It is not for the bridge as such.

Government Operations committee  I should say that there are some metrics for us. The Treasury Board Secretariat has very precise metrics of the number of days that it takes us to pay. I have to say that at Public Works we actually meet the metric. It does happen that other government departments do not, because we are not the only ones who procure, so we do work with other organizations.

Government Operations committee  I will ask my colleague Pierre-Marc to answer that.

Government Operations committee  This is an investment that will help us save money in the long run and reduce expenses incurred under existing leases.

Government Operations committee  The increase is necessary because we purchased three buildings so that we could consolidate the employees. This is part of the commitment we made to ensure there was a balanced distribution of buildings between Gatineau and Ottawa in the national capital region. We acquired or constructed three buildings.

Government Operations committee  I'll speak briefly as an introduction and turn to my colleague, Mr. Sobrino, who was responsible for the pilot and now for its current permanent manifestation. It's a procurement program. The federal government, through this program, actually purchases the services or products that companies provide in order to meet the need expressed by a government department, a program, or an activity.

Government Operations committee  No, it is not contracted out. These are direct deposits.

Government Operations committee  Yes.