Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Minister hit the nail right on the head. Why is it that we give municipalities $250,000 to run an operation knowing that it is going to cost the Department of Public Works $350,000? That is $100,000 difference from the money allocated to a hamlet to run a project, and then a department running a project, the cost is $100,000 more. That is exactly the argument I am trying to make. We are underestimating the cost of operating these facilities, yet the communities cannot bear that cost. That is why a lot of communities are at the point now of just having to put their hands up and say, "Sorry we do not want it, we cannot afford to continue to operate because the cost drivers running these operations are going up."
As a government, we see this coming time and time again. It has happened in my riding in Fort McPherson with regard to that project, which is an unforeseen situation where you have THMs and other effects to your water system. It seems that we do not have a process in place to address those areas where we know there are going to be unforeseen costs associated with their operation and maintenance. The municipalities with the latest formula financing arrangement that we have are saying they are not funded enough to operate those facilities.
I would like to ask the Minister to compare that $250,000 to the $350,000 from the hamlet, which is $100,000 difference. What were the cost drivers to give you that $100,000 difference?