Thank you, Mr. Chair. If the Minister can just get it to P and P so the group can understand that, that would be very grateful and helpful. The Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh talked about asset management there and, I heard, you know, talked about the core. With the core, would office buildings be part of the core or is that just something else? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We will get a definition of all the core infrastructure in the communities. We will share it with Members. I do believe that office buildings are part of that core, as well.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the Minister clarifying that. I am looking forward to that information. I guess my next question that I do have is: if municipalities decide to, you know, build recreation facilities, pools, libraries, does the government put funding towards those type of projects? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The municipalities get separate O and M funding, and they are free to use that for any special projects that they want to do outside of what the core needs are. That is really up to the municipalities when they go through their capital budgets. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister advise: is this part of the gas tax that they receive? When we talk O and M, that is O and M, the operation and maintenance of facilities. I am trying to better understand this. If the Minister can clarify exactly that? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Some of that is the CPI funding that they do receive as well as the gas tax. They can use either or look at any kind of special projects that they do. Our main focus is to have those core needs in place, the water, the sewage, the solid waste, for the health, wellness, and safety of our residents. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you. I appreciate the Minister's answers for that. Can the Minister explain why, when they talk about, you know, safety and health of the community, that recreation facilities would not be one of the cores? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With the presentation that we had given to committee a while back, I know that there is some possible federal funding that we can utilize. As we bring that definition forward, we will be able to see. I can't say right now if it is a core need. I will look into that, and I will get back to the Member.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

That will be all. I would like to thank the Minister and the witness for providing the information here today. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Nothing further from committee. I will call the activity. Municipal and Community Affairs, regional operations, infrastructure investments, $29 million. Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. Please turn to page 61. Municipal and Community Affairs, total capital estimates, $29 million. Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. Committee, do you agree that we have concluded our consideration of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, the Department of Lands, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources?

Thank you, committee. Sergeant-at-Arms, you may escort the witness from the Chamber. Thank you to the witness for appearing before us. Mr. Beaulieu.