A-base is what we essentially have in our reference levels that exist forever and a day. For example, the $99 million that the minister has spoken of before has been added to our A-base. That's going to stay in our reference levels. That's as opposed to funds that come in that have a sunset timeframe attached to them, whether it be two years or more. That's funding that will reduce over a period of time. It's sometimes referred to as B-base funding. In other words, it's there for a particular period, for a specific purpose. After the program has been delivered, that then comes out of our reference levels--which is why you see, for example, ups and downs with respect to our plans and priorities document.
On November 21st, 2006. See this statement in context.