That's all the time we have.
I do want to thank you gentlemen for being here today and answering some of our questions. We will release you now.
I have a bit of committee business to take care of. It should take us a few minutes before we break and then hear from our next panel of witnesses.
If you'd like to pull out the 2007 edition of the report on the Centennial Flame Research Award, I could give those of you who weren't on our committee before a bit of background information.
The amount for the 2007 Centennial Flame Research Award was $4,500 last year. We're suggesting that we keep it at $4,500 this year. Although you see that we have some money in the bank, remember that this money comes from the flame in front of the Parliament buildings. You'll notice there was not a whole lot of money collected from the flame this year, part of the reason being that it was closed for renovations for a large part of the winter. As a matter of fact, from October until April the fountain was closed.
As opposed to raising the amount, which we have done in the past and did in fact do last year, the recommendation of the clerk—which I concur with—is that we leave the amount at $4,500. I'm not suggesting we lower it, because it has to be worthwhile in terms of people taking the time out of their days. And we've always had a hard time attracting a lot of people who are interested.
You have before you the three or four motions we want to recommend. Everything is in the package. The first is that we set the amount at $4,500. The second is that the press release be submitted. The third is that the clerk and the chair be authorized to take any means, including members' householders, to give the award some publicity. It's a great opportunity for people on this committee to advertise through their householders and ten percenters. And the fourth motion is that report be adopted.
My feeling is that we're certainly welcome to discuss this all we want. I don't think there's a big need for discussion. This is more of an FYI, as something we've done in the past. It's pretty much standard procedure going forward, but we do need the authorization of the committee to proceed in this fashion. So if that is all right, I don't necessarily see the need for a lot of discussion.
May I just suggest that we adopt the motions before you?
(Motions agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])