First, as mentioned, there is the supplementary estimates request, which will provide the provinces with the full funding that they had last year. With respect to new pressures on the system, as indicated by federal-provincial-territorial ministers following their meeting last week in Newfoundland, ministers will continue to work together to look at the legal aid costs to try to reach a new agreement. They are also aware of the new funding pressures that would be created by new reforms.
But I think each of the ministers who left that meeting last week understands that responsibility in the criminal justice area is a shared responsibility at both the federal and provincial levels. Provinces, for example, cannot continue to demand law reforms without at the same time shouldering some of the costs, but on the other hand, the federal government also realizes that, as a shared partner, it must also share some of the costs. The ministers have agreed to continue their discussions and look at the actual numbers.
With respect to particular bills, as you know, you've heard testimony on Bill C-9, for example, and there are differences with respect to what the cost implications would be. I believe the bill is going to clause-by-clause. There may be some amendments. The amendments may have the effect of actually reducing the financial impact on provinces, but that's something within your purview as MPs, as to what the scope of the impact would be, depending on the scope of the bill.
But I do want to indicate that ministers did agree last week that they would continue to work cooperatively to address the costing pressures on the system, both existing, such as legal aid, and also new pressures as a result of law reform.