Transport committee  The priority for me is economic growth as well as the quality of life of Canadian men and women and the environment. In the course of the next few weeks I will, I believe, have a meeting with the Montreal public transit agency. This is certainly a matter that I will discuss with Ms.

Transport committee  We have about $2 billion to allow municipalities to borrow a third of the money. I am convinced that a large number of municipalities will come up with that third. The problem will be, rather, to choose among the municipalities that will be ready. Perhaps all municipalities will not be able to participate, but if one no longer wants the money, another one will.

Transport committee  If we provide a larger sum of money—

Transport committee  That is one of the reasons why we created a 2-billion-dollar program allowing them to borrow.

Transport committee  If we work together, if the federal government invests a dollar, if the provincial level invests a dollar and if the municipal government invests a dollar, we can go three times further, three times faster. If we must reduce the municipalities' contribution to 10% we won't be able to bring as many projects to fruition.

Transport committee  There are only 2 billion dollars a year.

Transport committee  It will be difficult to launch big projects in a two-year timeframe. If you want to complete a project in 25 months, that will be difficult. I'd like to emphasize that this is only for small projects.We are not discussing new subways to the tune of $1 or $2 billion. The money will probably be used for small projects that will start as quickly as possible and can also be quickly completed.

Transport committee  The mayor of Toronto said that he had no money. I consulted the reports of the City of Toronto and saw that that city had not spent $200 million last year. That would be a starting point.

Transport committee  If you have some ideas for Montreal, I can certainly listen to them. I have already heard the ideas of some of your colleagues.

Transport committee  It's more than we spent last year.

Transport committee  Every province that submits an invoice will be paid 100%. We can't pay for invoices that we don't receive. I'll give you an example.

Transport committee  If we haven't got an invoice, we can't make the payment. So each project requires an approval and requires a contribution agreement, and then the invoices can be sent by the provinces and they're fully paid.

Transport committee  I think we've got to speed up the negotiation of contribution agreements, because I think they're too long. I think we try to substitute our judgment for the provinces'. In my response to Mr. Laframboise's question, I think I've spoken to this, and I can send you copies of the Hansard from a previous environment committee.

Transport committee  I just explained the problems as I saw them. You summarized it rather differently.

Transport committee  No, I didn't say they are other people's problems. In fairness, I said there are bureaucratic problems on both sides, both the provincial and the federal sides. I am undertaking to cut back that red tape for us. I'm undertaking the change in the Navigable Waters Protection Act so that projects can be sped up.