Transport committee  I signed a large number of agreements a month and a half ago. I will put the question to my deputy minister.

Transport committee  Thank you for your question. We met with Minister Jérôme-Forget at a meeting in Montreal. We discussed the large investments during a few hours, as well as the plan we wanted to prepare together. For the smaller projects we cooperate with Minister Normandeau. We were ready to sign an agreement.

Transport committee  That's the best answer I can give you. I can turn it over to my officials.

Transport committee  Back in 1989, the government of the day eliminated the capital budget, and this puts significant pressure on when they have to fix up things like the parkway and bridges and make land acquisitions in Gatineau Park. In the 2007 budget, they were given a $10 million capital budget and $5 million for other operational issues.

Transport committee  We would be very pleased to get a full accounting to you.

Transport committee  We are happy to be here. We welcome your questions and comments.

Transport committee  I'll say two things before I turn the floor over to officials, if you have further questions. While the National Capital Commission reports to our portfolio, Minister Cannon is the minister responsible for the NCC, so it's properly before this committee. I'm happy to give my best answer and then I'll look to officials.

Transport committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the opportunity to be before the committee. I thought that at the outset I would ask each of my colleagues from the department who are at the table to introduce themselves and give their position, just for the record and for all members of committee.

Transport committee  Excellent. Thank you very much for having us here before the committee. I'm particularly pleased that, from the reports of the committee's work in recent years, by all accounts it's one of the most constructive committees. It's not a partisan or political committee; it's one where people work together and accomplish things.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, we are working cooperatively with the Government of Ontario. A series of announcements will be coming in short order. We are committed to providing a much needed shot in the arm to the southern Ontario economy. That is not enough for the people who live in that part of the country.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, one of the Liberal members opposite was spreading some half-truths yesterday. He produced a list of 27 projects totalling about $1 billion. One single project he left out, which was for $662 million, goes through the ridings of Vaughan and York West. This clearly demonstrates that Liberals are not being upfront and honest with Canadians.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Liberal Party put out a list of projects. It said that grants were given to Conservative ridings. One grant that it talked about was in Kenora. The announcement was made on July 24. At that time it was a Liberal riding. When the people of Canada were consulted, they changed their minds.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, I will say the last one over again. There is a picture here with the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Liberal Premier of New Brunswick announcing $26 million for Saint John. At the time, it was represented by a Liberal. After the people of Canada were consulted, the people of Saint John changed their minds and elected a good Conservative member.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, we are obviously tremendously concerned with the economic numbers coming out of the province of Ontario. The good news is we are working co-operatively with the provincial government on a series of initiatives to ensure that we provide needed shot in the arm to the Ontario economy.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, we have come forward with a series of new programs and initiatives designed to put a shot in the arm of the Canadian economy in every region of the country. We have indicated to our provincial and territorial partners that we are prepared to accelerate the existing building Canada programs so more money can get into the hands of workers right across the country.