Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the opportunity to make a few opening remarks. I'll try to be very brief. I also wanted to say that I'm very happy to be here, as Environment Canada's chief financial officer, to respond to questions on the department's main estimates.
That said, I can understand why the committee might consider holding another hearing to discuss the supplementary estimates tabled yesterday. I would happy to appear before the committee again at a later date, if it would like me to do so.
Joining me today at the table are two officials: Mr. Hani Mokhtar, senior financial officer and director general of the financial services directorate at Environment Canada, and Mr. Craig Ferguson, director general of corporate management. We also have here at this meeting a few additional departmental officials, individuals who may also come forward, as appropriate, to answer some specific questions that committee members may raise if more detailed knowledge is required.
I would also like to mention that the Environment Canada main estimates also underwent a number of changes over the past year, compared to the previous year, and I would like to briefly explain these.
First, in keeping with ensuring that our strategic outcomes and our results structure align with government priorities, our program activity architecture has changed from the previous year and will continue to do so as we work to ensure that the results we are seeking are being kept ever fresh on an annual basis. This is done in concert with the main estimates production cycle. Put simply, the main estimates for 2006-07 would have been largely aligned with the government priorities last fall. Table 8.5 provides a high-level summary of changes in the main estimates. Further, our report on plans and priorities on page 10 provides a useful crosswalk for changes from previous years, which I expect the members of the committee have.
Second, the main estimates are broadly similar, funding-wise, to previous years, considering our pattern of ongoing and sunset funding. What this means is that a good portion of our funding is based on known, ongoing funding. However, a significant portion is also based on temporary or sunset funding. Over the past several years, this sunset funding could have been anywhere from about 9% to about 22% or 25% of funding, annually, in terms of overall spending authorities. This latter element may cause fluctuations year over year and in funding being sought as a result.
Third, as with other departments, expenditure review has impacted Environment Canada. Our ongoing reference, or ongoing levels, are declining. The most recent exercise in 2006-07, just completed, will be felt mostly, over time, in our grants and contributions programs, where there is a total of $7.6 million over three years.
Fourth, in our main estimates, our net of the spendable revenues...in 2006-07 we are budgeting some $75 million this year. This deals with licences, permits, and tailored work for NAVCAN, DND, and other key stakeholders. So our spending patterns for 2006-07 are net of this amount.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd be happy to respond to any questions you may have.