Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The motion definitely has merit. The issue of main streets in small communities — non-taxed-based municipalities that are not paved or chipsealed — is a pressing issue in communities. However, it is somewhat complicated by the fact that the money for this type of work was given to communities. It was pulled out of the normal funding and given to communities in the New Deal funding as capital so that communities would have the prerogative to decide if this was a priority or something else within their community was a priority.
In general, I support the concept of helping communities deal with this issue of main street; however, if it would involve taking money back out
of New Deal funding and removing that discretionary prioritizing of capital projects in communities, then I think it’s something we just need to further discuss and debate. I think there are a number of amendments on this department, and possibly we will not be closing this department off today. I would like a chance to consider the consequences and alternative options.
Having said that, I do believe it is an issue. I just want to make sure we are not asking for something that may in fact be good for some communities and not for others. To the motion, I would abstain on the grounds that I would like more time to come up with something we have a chance to work through and talk to the Minister about.