Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I thank the Member for his comments. In reference to the high-cost serving area, the presentation the department made in that respect, our suggestion was the high-cost serving area benefits would apply to all players, not just be specific to NorthwesTel. At least, that was the message we were trying to send out. I am not sure exactly how it was received, but that was the message we were trying to send out.
I must say that I did not have the opportunity to represent the department or the government at the hearings, as I was tied up with meetings with my other ministerial duties. Mr. Rattray was present and he could expand on that, if necessary.
With the other comments put forward by the Member referencing the cost overruns by the department on projects, I suppose you could say the reflection on the department when there are cost overruns on projects, we are very sensitive to the suggestions that the department is to blame for these cost overruns. We tried to clarify to the committee how these cost overruns take place and what the process is for approving cost overruns. To me, as a Minister, it is very important that we as a department make every effort to keep costs within budget.
However, as we said to the committee, we do not always control all of the contributing factors to the cost overruns. With that, Mr. Chairman, I would like to emphasize that the department does its best to keep these projects in budget and we will continue to do that in the future. As the Minister, I have already made it clear to my department that we have to make not only the effort, but we have to make it visible that we take our best initiatives to keep projects within budget.
I think it would be beneficial, Mr. Chairman, if Mr. Rattray spoke to what is involved in cost overruns, as we did with the standing committee. Thank you.