Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have a few comments, and then I will turn it over to officials.
First of all, I want to thank Ms. Collins for raising the freshwater issue. I'm just back from the UN Water Conference, the first conference of its type at the UN in 50 years.
Mr. Chair, I know that you have an abiding interest, and of course I will be sharing what I have learned with this committee as we embark on our freshwater study.
There were 6,000 delegates, 1,500 side events and 80 or so Canadians who attended. It was a very rewarding experience for us all. I want to thank our ECCC officials, particularly Michael Goffin and Gemma Boag. They put together a great program and made Canada's presence felt on the world stage, so I thank them for that.
While we were there, we heard about the $420 million that would be dedicated to the largest freshwater body on earth, the Great Lakes, so that's good news.
Can officials confirm—this is in response to some of Ms. Collins's questions—that in the last budget, 2022, we projected, booked—whatever term you want to use—I believe the figure is $47 million over five years to establish the agency and get it up and running? Are my facts correct?