Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the answer from the minister, but the fact remains that in 2013-14, that is to say the fiscal year under way, the government is actually going to be spending $1.5 billion less in the fund that last year was $1.7 billion. This year it is simply going to be $200 million.
How can the minister stand up and say this is great news for the municipalities, when, in fact, they are going to be spending $1.5 billion less?