Transport committee  There's not a single invoice that's more than 30 days late. I'll give you an example. We announced the Spadina subway expansion almost two years ago. We could have given them a cheque for a billion dollars then, and they are only breaking ground now. So as soon as they break ground and get in invoices, they'll be paid within 30 days.

Transport committee  If you wanted me to give invoices for projects that haven't started, that would be an interesting--

Transport committee  I'll start. Obviously it is going to cost substantially more than $400 million for that initiative. We will be there as a partner with the Government of Ontario on that. Our relationship is excellent there. Clearly we have some struggles with the Ambassador Bridge and legal issues.

Transport committee  As of today, I understand all our invoices, 100%, are paid. Any one that was more than 30 days ago has been paid. That includes the entire gas tax transfer, the GST rebate, that goes to municipalities for infrastructure. Some of the initiatives we pay on reimbursement, as we get an invoice from provinces.

Transport committee  I think I'll say a number of things. Obviously what we heard in our pre-budget consultations, particularly with provincial and territorial municipal governments, was a significant concern about this issue. I think we've done our best to retain every recommendation made by this committee with respect to navigable waters, and I think we come forward with reasonable positions.

Transport committee  I think in the budget the minister laid out investments both to rehabilitate buildings and to build new buildings on college and university campuses. He certainly singled out that a certain minimum must be used for colleges. The Department of Industry is going to take the lead with respect to delivery of that.

Transport committee  If I could respond, obviously we're putting forward changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act, a piece of transport legislation. With respect to the environmental assessment, we're looking at using existing authorities and not making any changes to law. One of the things that have become very clear to me from my experience, both as environment minister and now in this position, is that we have established over many, many years a lot of laws and regulations to stop bad things from happening, but have very little to facilitate good things happening.

Transport committee  I'll make some opening comments, and then I'll turn it over to Mr. Grégoire. I can tell you that we're making some significant new investments in air security, both in terms of volume and obviously in terms of technology. They're ones that have been recommended and that I'm comfortable with.

Transport committee  If you would like a briefing on the whole Mirabel project, we are willing to provide one for you.

Transport committee  I'll say a number of things. One, I think it's part of infrastructure, it's part of our economic action plan. We want to see things happen; if there were an easy way to make things happen, it would have been done a long time ago. I took the opportunity to meet with every territorial government and every provincial government, and with municipal representatives from every part of the country.

Transport committee  You can have one tomorrow morning.

Transport committee  I decided that we would not have time to negotiate an agreement with each province and territory. However, we will work on this after the budget is passed. We will have the money on April 1 and we will be ready to work in the same way with Quebec. We will be working directly with the two ministers responsible for infrastructure.

Transport committee  As former Minister of the Environment, I strongly support the projects that aim to protect the environment. Water quality is one of my priorities. Public transit is another example of projects that are favourable to the environment. I wear another hat. Ports are important, as are small airports as well for economic development.

Transport committee  The rules are a little different. This isn't entirely for hockey. Other fields are admissible.

Transport committee  Ah, but it is important that we work with Quebec because of the provincial jurisdiction. A law was passed by the National Assembly and we respect it. Today, Minister Verner announced assistance for Shannon. Of course we asked for the province's support and I think there will be a meeting with cabinet to obtain its support for that request.