That question hasn't come up yet. We would have to see whether that is feasible. I haven't done any legal analysis on that, but based on my general knowledge of constitutional principles and the law that applies, I would say that if a request were submitted to the federal government arguing that this institution is essential, and the provincial government decided to refuse the money offered, that decision would be inconsistent with the province's constitutional obligations. I do not see how the province could justify refusing such an advance on funding, summarily or theoretically. Today, the province is arguing that it doesn't want to spend the money, but in this case that argument wouldn't be valid. The decision would consist in determining an arrangement for the next four years, but that decision could be deferred.
On December 11th, 2018. See this statement in context.