Thank you. I just wanted to say a few brief words. I offer my congratulations to the Minister, to the deputy and to the chief mining inspector on one side and to Mr. Gargan and the committee on the other side. This actually went back even before the last four Ministers; there were
probably six Ministers who were involved, one way or another, with this process.
It is not just a matter of politics. One of the sad realities is that there has been, in the nature of the relationship between the mine management and labour, historic separation in the way each side views the industry and views each other. Probably the only element that management and labour truly have in common is that both of them blame government for all their ills.
A good Minister of mine safety, one who has truly done their job, will be equally criticized by both sides. That is probably the best you could ever expect. Mr. Nerysoo picked up the ball and, a lot of people have worked on this over the years. It was a very difficult thing to do. It was over ten years ago, the last time there was a meeting of minds. I think people have to recognize that the reality is the mining industry is a tough industry. The mine management side and the ownership side really have to work very, very hard to raise the capital they need to run profitable mines.
The mine workers, on the other hand, work very, very hard and they are very proud of the work they do and are very independent in their thinking. It is the natural progression that there are going to be some differences between the two. The government has to act as the referee, and sometimes does a good job, and other times not quite as good a job. At the end of the day, though, we have a responsibility to make sure there is proper legislation so that mine workers can work in a safe environment. I think Mr. Nerysoo brought together the last element, putting together a group who could actually put together this package that is before us.
So, I think now that the dust has settled on the battles of the last decade, it is time for all of us to congratulate everybody, in government, in unions, representatives of non-union workers, and the mining industry. At the end of the day, they have come together for mutual benefit and in mutual interest, to put forward this compromised bill.
I'm sure nobody is 100 per cent happy with the bill. That's the nature of doing business in Canada in the 1990s. I, for one, will be quite happy to support this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
---Applause