Mr. Chairman. First a couple of things that I would like to clarify. The regulations that the Member refers to is government-wide policy. It does not just pertain to the Department of Public Works and Services. The other thing that we have to keep in mind when we are talking about government contracts is that the foremost goal is to make sure that the government gets value for money and to ensure that the work that we are trying to do is in fact done at a reasonable price. Secondary, close second mind you, is that economic benefits, et cetera, and at the same time following accepted procurement policies, et cetera.

The strict guidelines that we spoke of are exactly what I referred to earlier is that the job, the work must be urgently required and if it was delayed that there would be damage to the public interest. If it is urgent and only one party is available at the time and being capable of performing the contract and the contract is less than $1,000 or less than $25,000 for A and E services.