Thank you, Madam Chair.
First of all, I want to thank the entire crew who came here to give us this information. The way I see it, the questions that have just been asked are essential to gaining a clear understanding of the government's role in setting the premium rate. Since the new board was created, the rate has been frozen at $1.73, and when it does change, it cannot increase or decrease by more than 15%. We know full well that it will have to increase. The advantages under this program are determined by the government. A chief actuary simply has to determine what amount is needed. These are questions we should ask the minister. It is clear that the board does not truly have a role in determining the premium rate. It is really just a stooge.
My questions have more to do with the supplementary estimates. You must have them in front of you.
Ms. Forand, on page 127, on the line that reads “(S) Old Age Security Payments”, amounts are listed, and we see that there is a credit adjustment totalling $192 million. The next line shows that guaranteed income supplement payments have dropped by $228 million.
Is the budget quietly being eliminated through attrition? What happened to cause a reduction of that size?