I met with representatives of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. I also met Mr. Généreux quite recently, at the signing of an agreement on the MRIF attended by the deputy Premier of Quebec.
I could be mistaken, but I essentially believe that the problem is not the amount of money involved. There's already approximately $33 billion on the table. In addition to that amount, of course, is the contribution of the municipalities and that of the provincial and territorial governments of the country, which, taking the P3s into account totals approximately $60 billion. It seems to me we can get a good part of the job done with that amount.
Yesterday, in Le Droit, I read a reaction to the presentation of the budget of the municipality of Gatineau, where I sat for a number of years. You are absolutely right: considering the IRP, $400 million could be spent in one year, but that's clearly not possible. Allow me to cite a passage from that article:
Gatineau will be transformed into a vast construction site in 2008. The municipality plans to start up $75 million worth of works thanks in part to the contribution from the federal government.
That contribution was approximately $45 million in my time. The fuel tax rebate is a source of funding that previously didn't exist and to which the Building Canada Fund is now added . I think we're able to do a good part of the job together with those amounts. After that, we'll continue on.
Your colleague Mr. Laframboise and you have been mayors. I'm merely a former municipal councillor. You saw that there were also disputes between Quebec and the municipalities over municipal taxation. I think we've come a long way. We've had discussions and we're open to the idea of doing things.
The transfer of the gasoline tax enables municipalities in my riding and that of Mr. Laframboise as well to do a lot of things. I had an opportunity to go to my riding, particularly to Montebello, not long ago. Together with Mr. MacMillan, I was able to announce some things that are important for the community at the local level. In no case can one order of government resolve everything alone. On the other hand, I think that, together, we're able to get things done.