Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There were discussions and negotiations with the contractor that extended farther than was anticipated, which precluded us from taking advantage of the previous season. Hence, it’s all been sorted out and everything is operational now, but hence the requirement for the carry-over. Thank you.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business report is marginally helpful. In my mind, they have a very narrow list of things that they consider when they make their grades. They don’t look at the tons of work we’ve done with online reporting, the improving of our procedures, the accountability issues, the investment we’re making to speed up to be able to do things like online buying of registrations, doing all the things the government requires when going online.

But, yes, we recognize that as a system we need to constantly look at improving how we do our business. I acknowledge that we are...

Yes, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to point out the report the Member talked about has good information in it. I do want to make a distinction, though. It doesn’t talk about how well we are run financially, our Aa1 credit rating and that we are well situated in terms of managing ourselves, one of the best jurisdictions in the country, but that is how we present that information through our public processes that need work.

We are looking at it. I hadn’t looked at it until the Member kindly gave me the indication that he is going to raise this today. I have gone online to take a look and we...

That’s correct, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2015-2016. This document provides for an increase of $65.8 million to the capital budget. The most significant items in this supplementary estimates are:

$61 million in capital carry-overs for the completion of infrastructure projects. This represents a carry-over of 20 percent of the previous year’s capital plan, which is the lowest in the past 10 years. These costs are offset by an equivalent lapse of infrastructure funding in the 2014-15 fiscal year; and

$1.6 million associated with the...

On all those lands, except where there is an existing permit that was already granted. But for the most part, yes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The project was advanced $40 million. The project still intends to hit the timelines and construction schedule that was laid out.

I will ask Minister Beaulieu if he wants to add anything further, with your concurrence, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have a fund and an amount of money before the House that we’ll book. It will draw down against that amount of money, roughly at about $2 million a year. Though we don’t think it will happen, should we stumble across a number of sites that we didn’t know existed that have significant costs attached to them after assessment, we would look at how it would draw down against the money we have. If we start we reach the point because of either increased development, sites coming to light that we weren’t aware of, then we would follow the due process to come back to ensure...

The Member is correct, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.