Sure. These are tough but fair precise questions on the supplementary estimates.
Let me talk about Natural Resource Canada's polar continental shelf program. It's intended to provide the delivery of cost-effective, safe, and efficient field logistics for the Canadian High Arctic research station science and technology program by NRCan, specifically our polar continental shelf program. PCSP is the principal Canadian provider of terrestrial Arctic logistical support to academic and government researchers. It has been in business in fact for more than 50 years, much longer than anybody sitting here at this committee today. Using PCSP eliminates the need for CHARS' science and technology program, or any other department or Arctic science program, in its efforts to replicate field logistics capacity, including human resources and the need to commit large volume and multi-year aircraft and fuel contracts.
By using one existing organization to deliver the logistics, cost effectiveness and efficiencies can be gained that benefit the Government of Canada as a whole and, obviously and most importantly, Arctic science.
Finally, Mr. Chair, I would say this is the first of a five-year annual transfer commitment by Indian Affairs for the implementation phase of CHARS' science and technology program. The partnership ensures that CHARS clients have access at the lowest cost to aircraft, to fuel, and to field equipment when and where needed and, of course, that these are provided with the highest margin of safety possible.