My understanding, from what you've said, is that you only really see the cost as $42,000 and any of the other costs will be regular costs. Yet I saw a figure being thrown around—I think from some budget documents—that the cost could be closer to half a million dollars. As you said, it's hard for you to predict where it could go.
We are going through some very difficult economic times with unemployment being what it is. People are really struggling to make ends meet. I am going to ask a very archaic question. How was the name change arrived at? Was this the minister's decision alone? Were there focus groups?
When I think of just the sheer coordination of such an endeavour, it seems hugely time consuming and I'm not clear as to the gains.
I'm also hearing that the name change is as a result of the Conservative government's need to better understand Canada's labour market, including why and where shortages exist. Once again, I'm really confused as to how a name change will get us that.
The Conservative government let $12 million of the funds earmarked for apprenticeship grants lapse. My colleagues at the public accounts committee have pointed out that the government sat on over $138 million in the budget, approved to support skills and job creation, rather than transferring it to organizations, cities, bands, and post-secondary institutions for skills training, essential skills, literacy, and crucial job experience.
To me, this name change seems like spending that is rather superfluous, whereas actually spending the targeted money would have demonstrated a commitment to employment and skills training.
It's hard for me to accept that a name change is the magic bullet, but I will move on.
When the department was called HRSDC, the Conservatives sat on 20% of the budget money they had allocated for grants to diverse organizations, including private sector and industry groups, which would have supported the competitiveness of Canadian workplaces through skills training, and left $8.2 million unused.
Do you imagine that under the new banner, ESDC, this pattern of non-spending will ensue, or is that all going to change suddenly?