Thank you, Minister.
Mr. Chair, further on the lapsing question, as the minister has alluded to already, since 2004-05—in other words covering the last seven completed fiscal years, including 2010-11—DND has carried forward approximately 1.4% of its total spending authorities. That's about $118 billion. The residual lapse after the carry-forward, over that same seven-year timeframe, is 1.2% of those total spending authorities. I emphasize that this includes the anomalous year 2010-11. So in spite of the very tight margins within which the department is expected to operate, it actually has a remarkable record of managing those appropriations going back to 2004-05. I use that as a base year, because it's the year referred to in the transformation report.
I would add too that with respect to the Auditor General, she did note that $300 million in 2007-08. That figure is included in the data I've just given you. I would emphasize, too, that in testimony either at this or the public accounts committee, the Auditor General acknowledged that the carry-forward provision was far too low, and she ultimately advocated that the department increase that provision. Had the increased provision been in place in 2007-08, that $300 million she referred to would not have lapsed.
Mr. Chair, on the other questions, the vote transfer of $17 million is coming from a number of capital projects that have been deferred. None of that has to do with base maintenance. These are equipment projects that are at various stages of delivery. There are approximately 11 of these projects in which the cashflow is slipping. In aggregate they represent about $21 million, which is available to reduce the requirements in vote 1.
With respect to the shortage of operating funding, there is no shortage this year. This request is to deal principally with a government priority for remediation of contaminated sites. Because we have money available within our capital vote, the supply convention is to exhaust flexibilities from previous appropriations before asking Parliament to appropriate new money.
I think, sir, that addresses the questions.