(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In a return to an oral question the day before yesterday, the Minister of Culture and Communications stated that his department is prepared to contribute $25,000 to assist in the restoration of Our Lady of Fort Providence Church. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Culture and Communications for the $25,000 he has pledged to help pay for repairs. This is a good start. With this $25,000, we can hopefully have the church stabilized by this fall. Then we will finally be able to use the church once again for special events such as weddings, baptisms, and Christmas and Easter services.
On behalf of the citizens of Fort Providence, especially our elders and the Catholic Church, I would like to thank the Minister for this funding. However, I would like to point out that this funding is long overdue and represents only a fraction of the funding we need. It is going to take a lot more than $25,000 to bring the church up to standard. An estimate in 1990 suggested restoration could cost as much as $150,000. Once the church is stabilized, a great deal of work will be required to ensure that the church conforms to current fire code standards. We must also upgrade the church's electrical wiring and repair the roofing. We must also restore the paintings which have suffered since we were forced to close our Lady of Fort Providence Church nearly two years ago.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again tell the Minister that it is a good start, and we are hoping he is sincere in his commitment to finishing this important task. Thank you.
--- Applause