Yes, and I want to make sure I give you the right answer. AECL has their own chief financial officer; we're just here representing the department.

I do have a response for you. With regard to how the 2015 budget funds requested by the National Energy Board will be used, the main responsibilities include the construction, operation, and abandonment of pipelines that cross international borders or provincial-territorial borders. The $80 million requested by the National Energy Board is dedicated over five years, starting in 2015-16. The funds support responsible resource development by contributing to the safety of energy transportation and infrastructure.

A portion of the estimates requested support the NEB's responsibility related to the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment during the construction, operation, and abandonment of pipelines. These activities include audit and compliance follow-ups, incident investigations, emergency management, post-decisions process management, and program support. The specific number of audits, inspections, emergency exercises, site visits and compliance meetings, and other compliance activities will be optimized to deliver the highest level of safety oversight. The remainder would support greater engagement with Canadians on NEB's role and mandate in the regulation and oversight of Canada's energy infrastructure.

Activities supporting this initiative include the communication officer duties, regulatory data collection and analysis, general public engagement, energy information collection and analysis, and program support.

Engagement with Canadians and public participation is also an important element of NEB's open and balanced regulatory process. The NEB plans to increase the number of opportunities for board members and staff to engage directly with Canadians. These activities strengthen the quality and credibility of decisions and recommendations. They also serve to inform the public of its role in our processes. The public is an important source of local and traditional knowledge about a project's physical site and potential impacts. Through public participation activities, project proponents can obtain information and better understanding to respond to public concerns and inform the public about decisions.

The NEB does not generate or participate in advertising campaigns. Notifications like the hearing order can be viewed on the NEB website and a public notice with the hearing order information is usually published in local newspapers.

That gives you a sense of what the money is for. It's pretty well for their regular operations.

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