Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to give a progress report on the improved telephone service to small communities. This was a matter raised earlier this year by Mr. Zoe, Mr. Antoine, and Mr. Gargan.
Seven communities in the Northwest Territories have very limited telephone services. Five of these are on NorthwesTel's schedule for an upgrade. Snare Lake is scheduled first, in 1993, and the last is Colville Lake, scheduled in 1997.
I have exchanged letters with the president of NorthwesTel and met with him. We agreed to set up a working committee. They will assemble data on the requirements for each community. Then the most appropriate method of funding can be determined so that the planned provision of improved services can be accelerated. The recommendations of the committee will be ready in early October. I will keep the concerned Members informed of the progress made. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.