Yes, and I appreciate that because I know there are many municipalities that will utilize those funds for this construction season. And they're pleased to know that's going to be available to do projects and that will actually give them the opportunity to leverage other dollars.
Secondly, like most members of Parliament, I actually had the opportunity to be back home these past two weeks. In the evenings I had an opportunity to work on some projects that needed to be done at home as well, so it gave me an opportunity to spend some time visiting constituents in the hardware store. In every hardware store I went to they were advertising the home renovation tax credit. Obviously, this is something that most of us are being bombarded with, through marketing and different things in our homes and in the hardware stores. Although it's a good marketing tool, we understand that it's also a stimulus. It's having a stimulus effect across this country and in every riding of our country.
As a matter of fact, I was in the tile store, Ideal, which is a local Grande Prairie business, and I was speaking to the owner, Ingo. I asked, “How are things going? Are you busy?” He said, “I'm busy and it's all your fault.” I said, “Well, what's the deal? I'm not purchasing a whole lot.” He said that because of our renovation tax credit he was actually having a better year than he has in the last two years. So obviously this is having a major stimulus effect.
I was speaking to another constituent who said he needed to replace the windows in his home and he says it's amazing what $1,300 will do. It's actually going to encourage him to spend another $20,000. So this is having a major effect.
Is there any research that's being undertaken in terms of what stimulus effect this currently is having? Obviously, I've talked about what I'm seeing on the ground. I guess in the budget documents there was probably a number identified. Maybe you'll give us that and then also tell us if we have any idea if we're on target.