Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I appreciate the fact that we've been able to delve into this today. I know that in my riding there is certainly a lot of concern that we get this funding out quickly. People don't want to see Ottawa dither-dather on this and wait and wait to get money out the doors to support projects that are needed to stimulate our economy. That's why I think there's a lot of support in this country for the economic stimulus plan.
I find it bewildering that on the one hand we hear the opposition saying to get the funds out the door more quickly while on the other hand they're providing criticism when we're doing just that. I thought it would be helpful to highlight some of the accountability mechanisms in this so that we don't put the opposition in this hypocritical role having to attack two different approaches.
First, maybe you could provide to the committee some assurances on the accountability measures that exist on how these funds will be dispensed and at what point there will be an opportunity, through estimates or other mechanisms, for review by Parliament and committees.