It is quite certain that this is what we have been asking for and waiting for for several years. We put in a request to the federal government last year, under the Canada-Alberta agreements a request for additional funds to balance our budget. Our budget is $24 million; we are running a shortfall of $1.2 million, 5% of the total amount. Nonetheless, we still progress. Earlier, I was asked whether or not we are going to build the centre. We are in the midst of building it. You will be visiting the construction site this afternoon. As I was saying, the centre will house 200 residents. Approximately 100 jobs will be created. People will be working in French. These are tangible results. These people will get paid, and their salaries will be secured through funds coming from Alberta. This falls under the health care sector. People will provide health care services, and these will certainly be paid for by the Alberta government, the provincial ministry of health. We asked the federal government for a little help in getting started. Afterwards, the centre will sustain itself financially. Obviously, we would like to receive federal funding through these agreements. So far, we have been refused, and we are apparently being told it would create a precedent. It is true that it would create a precedent. It is true that this is unprecedented, giving financial aid for health care infrastructure in Alberta and other western provinces is unprecedented.
On December 5th, 2006. See this statement in context.