Thank you, Mr. Chair, and welcome to our witnesses today.
I have one quick comment and then three very quick questions. I just want to say, from my point of view, I'm glad to see that the $5,000 for furniture has become permanent. In 2004, when I was elected, I inherited Sheila Copps' furniture, and the most impressive piece of furniture was the paper shredder. I'm being dead serious. I had never seen a paper shredder so big, although the other equipment was in need of repair, should I say, in terms of desks and things. Without actually going out and replacing all the equipment, this $5,000 will certainly enable me over the years to replace desk and chairs, so I do appreciate it becoming a permanent part of the allocation.
In terms of technology, I know we talk about information technology investments and the same delivery of services to members. Would that include things such as the upgrades to the House in terms of the technology with speakers and things like that? Okay. That makes some sense.
I also think it makes a lot of sense if we maintain some consistent level. The challenge I have is we're just sitting in here not knowing the historical categories. We look at an increase of 11% to 12% last year or the year before, but we don't really know how to compare it to where we're going to be even next year.
It's hard to look into the future and know what's going to pop up and what isn't. Do you anticipate that as we start to fund some things so we don't have big hits and big flows, we will be looking at modest increases like 4% to 5% a year, or are you able to tell that at this point in time?