In our assessment of the major project applications, we began with the program objectives for those projects. The intention was to try to support either the construction or the expansion of what we call participatory ability standards. These are state-of-the-art, leading-edge standards that are meant to showcase our approach to offering all Canadians, whether with disabilities or not, the opportunity to participate fully in their communities. From those objectives, we built a set of assessment criteria. We had external evaluators in place who assisted as necessary with looking at the feasibility and the costing of these projects. It was on that basis that our program officials put forward recommendations to support the two major projects, after which the recommendations were accepted by the minister.
On June 18th, 2009. See this statement in context.