I will try to answer as simply as possible.
In fact, we would like to be able to work with the federal government. However, in the present circumstances, as you know, we have to deal with the government of Quebec. That is the partner identified as being between the federal government and the municipalities. In other provinces, for some programs, the federal funds are transferred directly. I do not think I am mistaken, but in Ontario, the transfer is directly to the municipal association, which then arranges to work with the municipalities. However, on this first question, I cannot go any further than to tell you that the federal government has to deal with Quebec at present.
Concerning P3s for small municipalities, two or three people have asked me about this. In fact, to be able to carry out a P3 project, you have to understand that, essentially, the partner that is going to participate in this kind of project is wanting to make a profit. Often, these really have to be major projects. In small municipalities, and even in bigger municipalities, that is not an easy matter. There are not often $40 or $50 million dollar projects in the municipalities, no matter how big they are, to get them to participate in that kind of project. It is worth considering, however. We have to see a public-private partnership happen and assess the type of partnership we might have in that regard. I think it is something to think about and we can consider these questions.
On the third point, there is an infrastructure committee at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. I am the vice-chair of that committee. So perhaps, Ms. Chow, we can discuss this at the convention in Vancouver, because it is an extremely active committee. It was the FCM's advisory committee in the talks between the federal government and the opposition parties on the position to take on the budget. I think we can move forward on this issue and make improvements.
I appreciate your bringing this issue up so that, once again, we can make sure that public funds are being allocated and spent in the best way possible.