First, on the scientific research and development tax credit, over the past 18 months or so, much of the money for scientific research, microbiology, and some of these other things, instead of coming out of the national fund, has been diverted through federal regional economic programs. I wonder if anybody here has any particular knowledge about the source of those. Should it come out of the regional funding, or should there be a designated fund that is used for new innovative scientific research or microbiology?
Second, and perhaps Mr. Trahan or Mr. Weir may know, the forest industry has long been asking for a longer capital cost allowance based on the premise that if the businesses aren't making money they can't really access this. They're looking for an extended period of time. We hear the Forest Products Association of Canada and numerous other groups that have made presentations to the natural resources hearings say the same thing. I'd be interested in your comments.
Third, since February 2006, border crossings have been dropping dramatically. In terms of border infrastructure, one of the issues is a combination of marketing tourism. The City of Toronto now does more than the Canadian government on marketing internationally and in North America. Some of the other issues are problems at the border that American tourists incur.
The fourth question is on the fuel taxes. In the blue book of 2005-06 there was a promise to eliminate the double taxation on the excise tax and to not charge GST after 85¢ a litre. I'm wondering, Mr. Whyte, if you want to comment on that. We can add up two more broken promises, I would guess--just add that to the long list.
Thank you.