(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am pleased to inform the House that we have been successful in accessing federal government funding for a two-year search and rescue training program.

The National Search and Rescue Secretariat's new initiatives program will provide $165,500 in the current fiscal year and $189,000 in 1995-96 for training in ground and marine search and rescue and search management. (Translation ends)

Access to this program is generally restricted to federal government departments and our success in working with the RCMP "G" division proves our two governments can work cooperatively and collaboratively. I wish to recognize and offer appreciation to the RCMP for working on the training program with the department and sponsoring the program for funding.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the Minister of Justice for his department's support in this endeavour. The success we have had in establishing this training initiative can be attributed to our interdepartmental cooperation and the community involvement ensured throughout the process.

The training provided under this program will be available to RCMP members as well as community search volunteers. Search management training for search coordinators will position us to mount well-organized, effective searches whenever a missing persons situation arises.

The department will work closely with the RCMP in planning and offering training opportunities under this initiative and community volunteers will be encouraged to take advantage of the events in their regions. Thank you.