Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The communities are not yet aware of it. We are waiting for the approval of this budget before we notify them.
We did advise them in letter form earlier, where we indicated to them the amount of funding that is out there intended for the block funding arrangement is similar to what they had previously, until we do a review. We are at the tail end of the municipal financial review, which we hope to have concluded by August. We indicated in the letter that there may be a reduction subject to the total budget reductions.
They are aware that if there are reductions in any area, such as the $10 million the Finance Minister indicated, that they will be affected. They are aware there is a possibility of reduction. With the Finance Minister making it public that there is a reduction of $10 million, they are indirectly aware that there are going to be some reductions in their budget.
As soon as we can, hopefully upon approval of this budget, the deputy minister will contact them and explain the process to them. Thank you,