Finance committee  Under the provincial framework agreement we have with the Province of Quebec, it is somewhat different--as all agreements are. It requires the provincial government to nominate a project. Obviously it can't come out of the Building Canada Fund; it will come out of the consolidated revenue fund.

Finance committee  It can't come out of the Building Canada Fund because that requires the Quebec government to nominate it. We'll have to look at the various program authorities in other initiatives to see where it will come from. I didn't think the people of Shannon should have to wait. As a former Minister of the Environment, I place a huge priority on clean water.

Finance committee  It's certainly separate from Building Canada, because we can't fund it under Building Canada. I think it requires the Quebec government to nominate a project, so it's not eligible in Quebec. I would ask that the CRF write a cheque.

Finance committee  You mentioned it was this week's report and you quoted it was the 2007-08 fiscal year, but of course it was not the period for which I was minister. However, I was a member of the cabinet and I did look at the challenges we've had in recent years. You mentioned the previous infrastructure program, the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, which I think by all accounts was well received by provinces and territories.

Finance committee  You've asked, by my count, 11 questions.

Finance committee  If you'd like to focus on one, could I suggest you ask one?

Finance committee  You made a significant number of comments that I'd like to respond to. The last comment was that $1.5 billion had lapsed and gone back to the Treasury. I'm very pleased to tell you that the Treasury has reprofiled all the money, so not a single dollar has lapsed. We've been able to keep every single dollar.

Finance committee  When you talk about this year, as it's the finance committee considering the budget, I presume you mean--

Finance committee  You're being contradictory, because you said “this year” and “what are you doing going forward”. I'm going to respond to what we are doing going forward. We have our five-point action plan. We've looked at every single bureaucratic rule-making...we have within the department.

Finance committee  I first looked at what had been the past experience. What is the year of the report you just presented?

Finance committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. It's a great pleasure for me to be here. I was particularly excited to be asked to come before the finance committee for two big reasons: one, because I've never appeared before committee with your able chairmanship; and two, I have great admiration and respect, and even a bit of affection, for the finance critic of the official opposition.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, we always respect provincial jurisdictions, across Canada and in Quebec. Furthermore, we are always open and attuned to the needs, goals and ideas expressed by municipalities in all regions of Canada, and in Quebec.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, I have a clear and simple answer: yes, absolutely.

Transport committee  I have a meeting with a premier from northern Canada.

Transport committee  That is true, but the same thing applies to the federal government. We borrowed money which allows us to help the municipalities. We have to borrow too.