It can't be part of the surplus. Until 1990, all money paid out under agreements between the provinces and the federal government was taken out of the federal government's contribution to the fund.
The federal government stopped making those contributions. Starting in 1996, it entered into agreements with Quebec and the other Canadian provinces. The provinces are accountable to the federal government, as Mr. Roy explained. Obviously, that has nothing to do with the $54 billion.
I would like to clarify something regarding the board. The role of the board, as set out in the bill, is simply to manage the premium rate. It has absolutely no role to play in relation to these questions. I want that to be clear.
One difficulty is created. The premium rate for benefits is going to be managed, but the amounts reserved for Part II of the Act, which is called active measures, are based on a percentage of total insurable earnings in Canada.
Is there a risk of these two concepts being in conflict at some point? I don't know, but this is might be anticipated.