Transport committee  Given that we had costed out our needs well and projected them over the long term, we received a contribution from the Government of Quebec, which, I believe, may have been in partnership with the Building Canada Fund. It allowed us to do up to $100 million worth of work in our plants.

Transport committee  I do not think we have done so, but that kind of tool could be very useful. We can invest in the water supply, sewers and asphalt. But when you start talking about a plant, the costs are huge. We are talking about $25 million for a single project. So it is a useful tool.

Transport committee  Very few. So 87% of the City of Gatineau’s revenue comes from the property tax. That includes payments in lieu of taxes from the federal and Quebec governments. In our case, those payments from the federal government are significant, more so than for other large cities. Then there are user fees.

Transport committee  Normally, it is for five years. We are trying to extend that. One of the great advantages of the gas tax program is that it provides funding that is permanent and predictable for 10 years. One of the major challenges facing the City of Gatineau was that we wanted to put a lot of effort into our infrastructure.

Transport committee  Absolutely. It was an extremely significant step forward for cities.

Transport committee  We essentially dedicated 100% of the amount to water treatment facilities. Does the $56 million come from Quebec City or Ottawa?

Transport committee  No, I don't have that information. However, I could do some research and send you that in writing. I take note of your question. Our city is among those that make the greatest use of the Building Canada Plan. So we could certainly determine how many of these signs have been put up in our area.

Transport committee  We probably cannot do it tomorrow, but we will take the matter seriously and we will do it.

Transport committee  There are two parts to my answer. First of all, we quantified our needs very precisely and that is in the document we are going to table. The amount of $1.3 billion represents the catch-up work that must be done and that figure is derived from the study we carried out with great precision for each of our activity sectors, waterworks, sewers, asphalt and buildings.

Transport committee  Once again, a certain number of projects have to be ready to go at the same time, and have to be compatible, in order to realize real savings. So this is a case where you have to understand the mechanics in order to have an opinion that is more positive than the one I am expressing right now.

Transport committee  First of all, we are not entirely familiar with these. Yesterday, I was at a meeting of some of the members of the Big City Mayors' Caucus of Canada. They have certain serious concerns, for instance with regard to the size of projects. Gatineau is the 17th largest city in Canada.

Transport committee  For years now, upper levels of government have been giving us responsibilities. We did not use to have responsibilities regarding housing but we have some now. Gatineau is the 17th largest city in Canada, and in the area of social development we must now intervene with the homeless.

Transport committee  The governments don't like to hear that, but as I said earlier, the fewer criteria there are the better off we are. That is what I would say for the time being, but I will add some nuances afterwards. According to the cities, the fewer criteria there are the better it is. It is not because we want to be free to do any old thing, but because cities are extremely different one from the other.

Transport committee  In the beginning, it involved water-related infrastructure. Everything was included in that. Certain cities solve these issues faster than others, but even without very specific criteria, the infrastructure needs are so great that not a penny will be spent unnecessarily by the cities.

Transport committee  I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I understand the question.