Thank you, Madam Speaker. In an ideal world, that certainly was in our plans. However, I've stressed many times under the current fiscal conditions that we're operating, we're frankly unable to do it. Now we are working with people in that particular region in trying to develop new and innovative ways should we be successful in securing some long-term joint cosponsorship of the highway system in the western Arctic. Frankly, this is not going to take place unless we do get some kind of joint funding from the federal government.
To me, the result of the meeting last week was fairly clear. Some of the provincial Ministers were frustrated because these discussions have been going on since 1987. They wanted to know whether in fact there was a chance for this thing to go through or not. Mr. Young, the Minister of Transportation, indicated he was prepared to give a decision one way or the other by the end of December. So the optimistic side of me says now we can make an arrangement with the federal government on the reassignment of existing funds to develop and continue with this highway system that we have in place.
However, we're all aware of the current fiscal conditions of the country and it's going to be difficult unless they can reassign money from other programs. However, we should know, and it was made clear to us, whether there is the makings of a deal by the end of December or not. Let me stress "or not." Thank you.