I do recognize the frustration with the OPPLAN reductions that we've made here. Hopefully I've explained why we've done them, so I won't go through that again. What I will say is I've instructed the department, recognizing that this particular activity of our budget is taking the biggest hit. I do recognize the legitimate concerns with respect to the size of the reductions that Mr. Antoine has alluded to. So I've instructed the department to monitor very carefully this summer the impact of it. If we get into a difficult situation, I want to assure him that we'll have to try to address it at that time.
But I had to make an arrangement to cut $2.6 million out of the budget, as instructed by the Finance Minister. I tried to reduce it in an equitable basis based upon the total dollars in each activity. Unfortunately, this is a large fiscal activity within the Department of Transportation, it had to take its appropriate percentage cut. It's not something I enjoyed doing, but it's something I had no choice but to do at this time.
I want to assure Mr. Antoine and others that the department is fully aware of my concern and certainly of Mr. Antoine's concern as it relates to safety and as it relates to the quality of the roads. I will try to assure him by saying we will be monitoring the impact very carefully. If things don't go well, then we'll have to revisit it and I'll have to go back to Cabinet and see what steps I can take. But at this time, that's what our plan of action is. Thank you.