Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to say, again as I've said about this department before, that I am very pleased with the way the department involves the hunters' and trappers' association in Iqaluit in developing their plans for the beach improvements. The $40,000 -- I believe it was -- that was spent this summer -- which may not seem like a lot of money -- was nonetheless spent with the full advice and involvement of the HTA, I think to great effect. There has now been some significant improvements in sheltering small craft from the high winds that occur -- particularly in the fall season which are aggravated by the high tides which can be over 40 feet -- damage small vessels, which are the livelihood of my constituents.

I want to thank the department, in particular, and the Minister for the good work that was done this summer. I also want to express my gratitude for the monies that have been secured to do major improvements, in future, under the federal infrastructure program. I think it was quite an accomplishment to have secured those funds. I realize they were in jeopardy for a while. I thank the Minister for his efforts and for making sure that the needs of subsistence users in Iqaluit were identified amongst the many priorities and pressures that were upon the Minister.

There is one question I would like to ask about that. I know a statement was made on that issue in this House. Some projects are happening earlier and some are later, and I know that one can't always be at the head of the list, but the projects that are scheduled for completion in 1997...Who knows, I may no longer be a Member of this House in 1997? Who knows, the Minister may no longer be the Minister of Transportation in 1997, heaven forbid. I understand these funds are secured in agreements that have been secured with the federal government. Do I understand that now that they've been announced, and now that the agreements have been signed, that I can assure my constituents that that project of harbour improvements in Iqaluit in the two years leading up to 1997 are secure, are not dependent on annual appropriations in either the federal or territorial government, but are in fact commitments that my constituents can reply on and patiently wait to unfold? Thank you.