Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  30%.

Finance committee  We need to enhance the funding for the Canadian Tourism Commission.

Finance committee  It depends on what period of time you're looking at. In fact, in the year 2002, following 9/11, the Government of Canada did in fact support additional funding for—

Finance committee  That's correct.

Finance committee  First of all, it's not a rebate, just so I'm very clear. It's an exemption, as a go-forward. So it's not something we collect and then rebate back. For the convention touring group, that's the way it is. It's based upon 6% for the rooms, but because food is not a component of it, that part is not included.

Finance committee  No.

Finance committee  It wouldn't include going to an attraction. It would be the convention hall, but it wouldn't be the component that is related to food and beverages, for example.

Finance committee  Certainly any investment by the Government of Canada and the Canadian Tourism Commission would be welcomed. I have no difficulty with that, whatsoever. We understand the competitiveness agenda of the government, and we want to work with them to find a solution that can benefit all of us.

Finance committee  That's correct. If I could just follow up on that, I've been working with Jim Daman in the Department of Finance. These figures that I use, by the way--this isn't mathematics by Pollard, this is Pannell Kerr Forster Consulting that developed these for us, an internationally recognized accounting firm.

Finance committee  No.

Finance committee  Maybe I could just respond to the question you were asking before about the CTC budget. I happen to have the number in front of me. Would you like that figure now, Mr. Dykstra?

Finance committee  It's gone from $98.6 million in 2001 to about $75.8 million in 2007. So if you take into account inflation, the CTC budget is basically about $50 million less than what it was when the CTC was established in 1995. The other point I'd like to make is that the visitor rebate program is most definitely one of the most important marketing tools we have for the group convention and tour business.

Finance committee  Mr. Chairman, I would like to respond to that question by saying that by maintaining this program, federal government coffers are in fact going to be enhanced. As opposed to taking that route, I would encourage the government to maintain it. You'll actually generate more revenue.