Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, this particular bill doesn't give me cause for alarm. I think the Minister has presented quite a balanced explanation of the bill. I think it should be clear to all Members that what we are talking about here is our short-term borrowing needs. Though on one day in March, at the very worst, we have to borrow $96 million, in April, that is not the case. So, this is very different than a long-term debt and I think the Minister explained that quite well.
The other point that the Minister made is that it is a red light, it's a warning light. It is something we should take notice of, not getting really alarmed about, but as, year by year, we eat into our accumulated surplus, this becomes more and more of a reality. We don't have the leeway we've had in the past. I have no problem supporting this bill. It doesn't give me a great cause for alarm, but I think we should be all very aware of the fact that the trend, if it continues, could give us problems in the future.
I do have one question for the Minister. The Standing Committee on Finance expressed some concern over the reorganization of the Department of Finance and the Financial Management Board and the role of the Comptroller General as secretary of the Financial Management Board. We notice that in this bill, there has been a change in responsibility from the Comptroller General to the deputy minister of Finance. Perhaps the Minister could explain that change. Is it in any way a small effort to try to redress the balance? Thank you.