I'm very happy to do that, and if the honourable member will indulge me, I will give one other point of clarification as well.
To be clear, the government did not overturn CRTC's decision on wholesale access rights. The government declined to intervene, because the CRTC has an ongoing proceeding to re-examine the issue itself. I'd be happy to share that with the committee, but I can say categorically that the government did not overturn CRTC's decision. The CRTC is reconsidering the matter of its own accord, and the government is awaiting the results of CRTC's reconsideration.
As one other small point of precision—I feel bad about this, but just to clarify—Mr. Masse had asked about whether we negotiate or whether we're locking in pricing for the broadband agreements we have. I said that that's not the case, but in fact it is.
We ask for the pricing that is to be charged by the applicants. The pricing can be a factor in which project we choose. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that there are two projects that are both equally great technically, but one of the proponents is going to charge a lower rate. That might actually give it a higher score. Those rates are in place for five years, after which the proponents are free, if they wish to change the rates.
I should have been clear about that. We're not negotiating the rates; it is part of the application. We consider it in the application. Then those rates are in place for the five-year period required by the program. I apologize for that, but I just want to be clear about how that works.
Thanks.