Bob Bromley

This and more, despite public input, considerable public input that has called for economic focus and diversification towards smaller scale and renewable resources, development that provides real benefits and healthy communities. We heard this with the economic opportunities consultation, a comprehensive consultation. Perhaps it’s devolution on the brain, but whatever it is, it’s reason for concern and a re-examination of this government’s direction. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was just wondering, this is carry-over funding, what was the total amount, if we have that handy, for climate change-related research and development projects that we were provided through the Building Canada Plan?

Thanks to the Minister. My last question on this, given the higher costs for these utilities, and particularly in the two problem areas mentioned by Mr. Lovely, can we expect the Minister will ensure, as we go forward, that will be brought into the full-cost accounting? In consideration of alternative sources it might be less costly and provide other benefits. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe these are primarily for the utility costs, heating and electricity, which we know are going up steadily. At the same time, I know the Housing Corporation are doing work to improve their efficiency of facilities both on the heating and electricity side of the equation. So I’m wondering if there’s an explanation… Are we still not saving enough to account for these additional costs or is there something else going on here? Thank you.

I thank the Minister for that information. Is this the first $8 million or have we expended additional funds to this and how are the projections looking relative to that absolute amount of $26-something million?

Was that a yes?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We all know people who have suffered from pregnancy or infant loss. Through the dedication of some mothers, we have been learning a lot recently about the cost of this loss. I appreciate the work that those people are doing to bring that recognition forward. They are also pointing out the need to acknowledge this loss and provide support for those who suffer from it and especially the emotional trauma that goes along with it. So this is a real educational effort as well as an attempt to get some recognition on a much broader scale through this motion.

I would like to...

Mr. Chair, I can see we’re providing for that. To the extent we can beforehand would be a lot cheaper than doing it last minute when we understand we have to get some into some places. It’s going to be more expensive to get it there, likely. So I think it is a good investment there.

That’s really all the questions I had. I know this is a very challenging area. I think the Minister has taken my points, such as they are. I’m sure they are not new to him. There is a big challenge here and it is probably not going to get better in the foreseeable future. I’m assuming that the Minister will be...

Thanks to the Minister for those comments. I would be happy to provide him with a copy of the report, although this isn’t totally from the report. The Minister mentioned it has to have a benefit to it. There are some costs associated with this. Right now we have the federal government collecting income tax for us. That’s a bit of a deal, because it’s an expensive process. At some point, you hit an inflection point where it becomes worthwhile paying the administration and doing the collection yourself.

Has the Minister looked into that at all to decide when it would be… I appreciate his...

Mr. Chair, I realize these special warrants are partly catch-up and partly projection, so you can end up with a surplus despite the bigger budget, so $18 million and $21 million and these are well above the set amounts for the annual budget. I am just wondering: Is there a trend in what’s happening with our fire seasons? Are we aware of any trends with our neighbouring jurisdictions, Alaska, Yukon, or our northern provinces? Thank you.