Ms. Thibault, the custodians' most important responsibility is to prepare a long-term capital plan, as Ms. Chaput mentioned. In order to develop this plan, we must take into account the entire real property portfolio. We have to set priorities, because clearly, there is not enough money for everyone. This is really the aspect of portfolio management that is under the control and responsibility of the deputy minister of Public Works and Government Services or National Defence.
Treasury Board will have an evaluation tool to judge each long-term capital plan submitted by departments on its merits and according to certain criteria, while taking into account the financial situation at the time. It is not always a question of money. Money is definitely an important aspect, but sometimes the issue involves good portfolio management. I repeat that, because it is an important point. Like some departments, we think that in some cases, we can find ways of reducing the buildings portfolio so that we have more money for the remaining buildings.
As Ms. Chaput say, deputy ministers are responsible for submitting their long-term investment plans and their major concerns about buildings to us, and to tell us what they think about all these criteria.