I realize it may be difficult for you to answer my question, but the fact remains that before the budget was tabled and the responsibilities added, the government was nevertheless planning to reduce expenditures significantly. Even if a sum of $80 million will be added, we have no idea how it will be allocated. Will it be attributed to the main activities of the board that I just summarized, or to other things, such as salaries? For the moment, we have no idea and this is a problem for us.
I know that the budget was tabled much later than usual. This does not make the task of parliamentarians easier, those who want to know exactly how the money will be spent. We also have to ensure that there will be accountability on the part of the government in this, as there will not be another opportunity before the next election.
I would also like to ask another question on the famous $24 million the government spent over two years on a publicity campaign to promote the Keystone XL project in the United States. What budget item was used for that? I would also like to hear the department's answer regarding the report that was done on the effectiveness of that campaign.