Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that the department is continuously pressuring the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Department of the Environment, to do the work they are responsible for, such as monitoring the quality of water and doing testing of fish. That is their responsibility. There is a down side to getting too involved in that we start spending money in areas that are actually the responsibility of a different government.

We could probably give Members an idea of how much it would cost us if we should some day get into the business of testing water quality in some capacity and doing testing of fish. I think if that's what Members want we could ask the staff to give us an idea of how much it would cost to do the type of work that the Member is suggesting and give the information to Members.