Thank you.
My next question is for the City of Surrey officials.
In July of last year, the federal government sent every province and territory a letter regarding the bilateral agreements. Those agreements were supposed to be signed by March 31. According to our information, just 6 of the 14 provinces and territories have signed the agreement. British Columbia has signed, but not Alberta or Quebec.
That will inevitably affect the implementation of infrastructure projects. I find it troubling that, a year or two down the road, we could end up in the same boat as with phase 1. The minister can say that everything is fine, but I am worried.
Witnesses have told the committee—and the mayor of Edmonton just told us so, himself—that sustained funding, such as what the gas tax provides, would be more effective than the piecemeal or project-based funding currently being used. Municipal officials told the committee that sustained funding would help them better anticipate their needs and plan, and we've just heard it again.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on that. Do you think a gas tax-like funding model would be more effective than a project-based approach?