We do not work, Mr. Chair, on the basis of overall funding approaches to grants and contribution programs. These programs are administered program by program on that basis alone. There are, in fact, many reasons, particularly when you look at the span of four or five fiscal years, as I think some of those numbers do, that account for variations year to year in spending, including underspending.
The minister referred to the results that are looked for. There is nothing actually automatic about the applications of these programs. They are assessed. There have been from time to time administrative difficulties, which our work on modernizing the administrating of grants and contributions, we believe, will help and facilitate. But these are done on an individual program basis and the decision-making is based on a number of factors, including the particular policy objectives that are sought for each of those programs. Some are subject to changes in terms and conditions and policies, which will on occasion affect the level of take-up by the community.
It's very difficult to give a comprehensive answer, but I can tell the honourable member, through you Chair, that we administer these on the basis of each individual program and not under any particular fiscal objective.