Government Operations committee  It's based on the current year authorities. Correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Muldoon. Yes, we have that right. Basically, we take our estimates in terms of what we have asked for to date from Parliament—so not spent but to date.

Government Operations committee  There are general guidelines out there to departments about how to plan. Where it gets different is that some departments have very lumpy expenditures. They're not always evenly spread so you have to factor that in.

Government Operations committee  Just to be blunt, Mr. Chair, the design around Berlin and JSS is more mature than the other ships. So that was the crux of the reordering.

Government Operations committee  There's a need for ships for both clients, Mr. Chair. It was a matter of how you get ships produced in the fastest way possible. By focusing on the JSS with the more mature design, early blocks already started, it just was a more logical flow.

Government Operations committee  In terms of the costs around a second interim ship, it's better for defence to answer them, but there are costs around them.

Government Operations committee  The two go together. If you're looking at trying to solve a timing problem, you have to look at costs, and the costs weren't worth the investment.

Government Operations committee  It's an associate deputy minister.

Government Operations committee  Thank you, Minister. The only thing I'd add is that the starting point for this is around creating horizontal or more collaborative infrastructure that basically treats the laboratory space as a horizontal government-wide asset, as opposed to department by department. We're look

Government Operations committee  The National Research Council—

Government Operations committee  Sure. Thank you, Minister and Mr. Chair. In terms of the deadline being missed, the member raised the issue that the 30-day deadline was missed. He's quite right. The department has a window where it can ask for an extension and we missed that window, so the opportunity for an e

Government Operations committee  As one point of clarification, it's not abnormal in the federal funding model to get year-by-year funding. Phoenix isn't the only file where you will see this sort of thing in the departmental plan, whereby you come back to refresh the resources year after year. It's not out of t

Government Operations committee  It's 23, I think.

Government Operations committee  We can try, but I think your questions—

Government Operations committee  —equally on the details of the policy, are more appropriately directed to ISED as well. We'll do what we can.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Chair, I have maybe just one thing. When the government does contemplate changes to such a policy, the norm would be to go back and consult publicly if there are significant changes. That's depending on—