To announce the CFI award of $3.6 million a copy of the CFI proposal was distributed electronically to select individuals at Trent. According to a letter sent to Peterborough’s Mayor and councillors this is not the same proposal as was sent to CFI and it is missing key details like 8 pages that contain references to rabies and 15 pages of financial information. The missing details are alleged to be demonstrative of the project's reliance upon rabies-related funding together with the continued participation of the MNR, and the notable absence of private sector partners.

Trent and cluster promoters have made claims the DNA cluster would bring huge benefits to Trent, Peterborough and the region yet the these claims have not been supported by the disclosure of details such as a business plan (in fact a business plan for the DNA cluster does not exist).

Those seeking clarification of issues such as the project's alleged benefits, how they will be achieved and how private sector partners will be secured, have been frustrated by the cloud of secrecy surrounding the project's details.

Trent has asked the City to contribute $2-million to the project but will not let city officials see the business plan.

There appears to be growing justification to the recommendation that the City withhold committing funds to the DNA cluster project until such time as details have been received and every councillor has been satisfied that the project is viable and worthy of investing $2-million of public money.

• Letter to Mayor and Councillors with summary “What is at the Core of the DNA Cluster Project”, February 23, 2005

• CFI grant application, October 3, 2003 – cover page of what was apparently sent to select individuals at Trent
• CFI grant application, May 28, 2003 – cover page of official version as received by CFI, obtained by Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre, July 2004
• Pages 4G and 4I of the CFI application obtained by Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre as demonstrative of data missing from the version distributed with the October version

• CFI grant application, October 3, 2003 - full version of what was apparently sent to select individuals at Trent including October 14 email from Prof. White

Please note that documents received from CFI had heavy lines blacking out sections of text but underlining was added by Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre reviewers.