Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was going through my notes as the honourable Member was speaking. This is not a current issue, Mr. Speaker. It is something that began in January, 1990, and subsequently, in January, 1991. Again, there was more information being transmitted to the alcohol and drug treatment committees through their boards. It was not until spring of last year that this clause was inserted. There have been two or three adjournments or extensions to the signing of these agreements. Countless letters have been sent to organizations such as the Baffin Regional Council, and others, dealing with this issue. It is not something that I feel has had a lack of information. Certainly, the department has endeavoured to assure people of this. It came to the attention of the House in November. Again, it is incumbent upon people to relay this information to those concerned.
I certainly feel that there has been a lot of opportunity for communities to express their concerns and deal with this matter. The department has gone out of its way to extend the deadlines for these. I think the final line in the sand was drawn on February 2, 1992. Even then, the hold-out communities of Iqaluit and Pangnirtung have a new agreement before them now. They have until tomorrow to get on board or get off. I think enough communication has taken place, and I think people fully understand the reasons behind this; thus, the necessity for the sobriety clause and the action the department is taking.
I cannot see anything that indicates to me that no community has been without communication or that this communication has been deliberately or otherwise not given to the community to review. This has been a year and half process already, Mr. Speaker.