That's possible, but my response to that is that the constraints imposed under these different programs constitute an impediment to proper management of the work. If you are interested in looking at the whole issue of the constraints imposed under both federal and provincial government programs, I would be very pleased to give you the benefit of our expertise and demonstrate that, acting in all good faith, and knowing the way municipalities operate—of course, since you were once a mayor yourself, you are aware of this, as are others—this is often the kind of difficulty we encounter.
In Quebec, before any other work can be contemplated, we first have to complete the watermain work. The bridges have to wait. We are not eligible to receive money for bridges until we have completed the water system work. Just try telling the bridges that they will have to hang in there a little longer because it's not their turn yet!
These programs were developed by governments on the basis of so-called “national” priorities. I could show you how governments' good will can turn out, on a day-to-day basis, to be the worst enemy of positive results. There are bridges in my city that need to be replaced. I cannot get any money for my bridges because the watermain work is not completed. So tell me how Parliament can pass legislation forcing my bridge to last longer until its turn comes, once the watermain work is done? The two levels of government are the ones that impose this on us.