Evidence of meeting #46 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 40th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was program.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
It was the latter.
Liberal
Michael Savage Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
They didn't grade as well as those that got the two.
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
They did not--
Liberal
Michael Savage Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
Somebody decided that these two were better than the rest, whether it was done through a grading process or whether it was done politically or through a decision made by the government. Two out of 89 got it, but others were quite good projects that would have qualified for funding had there been more money or had the $30 million been divided into 30 projects or 20 projects.
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
You always have to keep in mind the program objective here of constructing or putting in place, through expansion, a mobility centre, and you have to understand the significant cost of doing such.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Thank you.
Mr. Komarnicki has one question, and then Mr. Lessard has one question. Then we're probably going to wrap it up, unless, Tony, you want to have one. Okay.
I'll go over to you, Ed.
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Just following up on part of that, if you were going to try to have a flagship or showcase model, and if you looked at a $2 million to $3 million contribution versus a $15 million contribution, you're talking about two very different things. Would you agree?
Second, it's not just the contribution made by this program. There were provincial contributions made to the projects selected, indeed, by the Province of Ontario, or whoever was involved. Were there provincial, municipal, and third party contributions to these projects as well? That's the first question and the second question.
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Yes, and that's my reference too. You have to always keep in mind the program objective here, and that was to support some flagship, multi-purpose, significant, large participatory ability centres, and that does then drive you to higher-cost projects.
In answer to your second question, in the case of the two major projects that were approved, yes, in both cases there is municipal support of those projects as well as provincial financial support and other sources.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Mr. Lessard, would you like to wrap it up with a couple of last questions?
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
Thank you.
These were not the only projects to secure municipal and provincial support. Many others did as well. Correct?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Is that a question about whether there was provincial and municipal funding in the cases of some of the other applicants for major projects?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
I don't have that information here at hand, but I can provide that.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
Projects are valued at anywhere from $1 million to $15 million. In response to one of my questions, you said that you did not accept projects valued at $4 million. Who decided that?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
No, and let me explain. The application period for 2009 has just concluded, and we will not be accepting projects of that value for consideration. This time around the applications that will be eligible will be for small projects only--offering a grant of up to $50,000.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
Right, because there is less money available owing to the fact that $30 million was allocated to two projects. Isn't that true?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
That is correct. I've explained how we've divided it up and allocated the $45 million.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Thank you very much.
Before we suspend, I want to thank the witnesses for being here today. Thank you very much.
For the record, this will be the last meeting for Kevin Kerr. Mr. Kerr has decided to retire, for some strange reason. He doesn't look old enough to retire, but he assures me that's what he is going to do. I told him he couldn't retire, but he said, “So what?” I understand he has served continuously on this committee since 2000, and of course he's been with the library for about 105 years or something.
On behalf of the committee—I've been here since 2006—Kevin, we all want to thank you very much for the time you've put in here. We wish you all the best as you head off to retirement, or whatever else you're going to do. Thank you very much for all your work.