Thank you.
In table 1.1 on page 1.18, under the heading Loans, Investments and Advances, it is evident that, over the past 10 years, the amounts have literally skyrocketed, going from $14.594 billion to $133.348 billion. The details of that amount appear in table 9.2 on page 9.4. It shows $133.347 billion and change. Perhaps the most interesting thing, which appears only in tiny print, is the footnote that says “These loans are recorded at cost.”
The Public Accounts do not list the fair market value of those investments anywhere. Does that mean, then, that, if those investments were to go down in value and the amounts listed were to lose a portion of their assets, the budget surplus announced for 2015 could end up being a $20-billion deficit, for instance?
Basically, what I am saying is that the $133 billion represents where things stand. But if we had a detailed list, we might learn that the fair market value of the total amount is less than the $133 billion indicated.
I think it would be more appropriate for the Department of Finance officials to answer that question.