Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the member that when I talked about the $513 million which was allocated in the 2001 budget, the government in that amount committed $59 million in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training for first responders over six years as well as $12 million ongoing. In addition, the government committed $10 million for the purchase of equipment that first responders need in order to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies. As I mentioned, over the past two years firefighters have received $5 million to purchase that kind of counterterrorism related equipment.
As well, I mentioned that the government is working with the provinces to develop a long term chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training program for first responders based on the training needs and priorities first responders themselves have identified at the local level, and the first pilot project of training has actually taken place.