Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just have a few general comments to make then, if I may, I would like to ask the Minister some questions.
Mr. Chairman, I think the big issue that we're all concerned about is the shortfall in federal funding. Since we're now at the stage of considering the Minister's budget, which I think he has acknowledged does not contain funds to deal with this shortfall, I would like to ask the Minister -- and I know he has worked very hard on this -- what is the current status of the negotiations with the federal government? Does he have any hope that this matter will be resolved? If so, when? If it is not resolved in our favour, then what? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.