Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Last Friday we discussed the Financial Administration Act slightly. I would just like to make reference to section 44. I am making reference to
the Financial Administration Act, section 44(2). I will read part of that,
No person shall enter into a contract or assume an obligation for or on behalf of the government that requires an expenditure in a subsequent fiscal year unless, a person considers that - circumstance requires such an expenditure to be incurred, and - the contract or obligation is in the public interest.
The contract is entered into or the obligation assumed in accordance with the directions of the Minister whose department administers the contract for any particular case or class of cases.
In regard to that, there does not seem to be, from what I have been able to find out, in the legislation or the regulations, anything which has the effect of automatically exempting leases from this requirement. With this in mind, I wish to pose some questions. In what areas is the authority given to the deputy minister to sign leases beyond one year?