Mr. Chair, it's a great question. It cuts to the heart of setting priorities in implementing infrastructure programs. Transport Canada certainly has solid sources of information in terms of infrastructure needs and infrastructure deficits. I think the study you were referring to in your previous comments provides some information but it is far from perfect, in part, as you point out correctly, because the response rate was well below 100%.
We do a range of studies and economic analyses assessing infrastructure gaps and in particular where you can actually get value for money, to demonstrate the value of infrastructure investments. A lot of that work went into the creation of the national trade corridors fund. The pressing infrastructure needs in northern rural communities are the reason that fund includes a dedicated element of $400 million for territorial northern infrastructure.
I would say that we would be hesitant to take our understanding about infrastructure gaps and to operationalize that with us unilaterally determining where to make the investments. That's the reason why we agree with the Auditor General's reports in terms of exercising leadership, building the relationships, engaging, and working with partners, so that between their identification of their capital plans and their needs and the application of our criteria and the program, we can sort out where we think the biggest value is in the next dollar of infrastructure programming.