Mr. Chairman, Mr. Da Pont explained that the coast guard and department undertook quite an in-depth review of budgets and expenditures in light of priorities. It was this business case that in fact convinced Treasury Board that the extra funds that we were allocated in 2006 did indeed compensate, for the shortfall, particularly as concerns the management of what I would call fixed assets, both for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as well as for the Coast Guard. The bulk of the increased funding—the $99 million— was allocated for infrastructure, whether it be for the fleet, maintenance or the department's capital assets, because the gap had been pointed out in our own work plan. This largely echoed the points that were raised by the Office of the Auditor General. We were therefore in agreement.
On March 13th, 2008. See this statement in context.