Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's another good question. There is a concern, particularly on the part of Yellowknife city hall and the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, that the Yellowknife airport be defined as a local authority, where the municipality would take over the running of the airport. These negotiations we are currently in are so far along that I believe we are very close to making an arrangement very, very soon.
Mr. Whitford's concern about discussions with those who would look at an alternative are valid and the department did meet with the mayor and the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce last week, and outlined where we stood on these negotiations. I met with the mayor over lunch and with Mr. Dent on the same issue and have assured the mayor and Mr. Dent, and now will assure Mr. Whitford, that we wish to proceed expeditiously with the transfer from government to government.
I will give an assurance to this House that, once that is done, we're prepared to work with the city through a committee or whatever to see if there is a possibility or opportunity for a local authority to be formed. That's the assurance I give to the Assembly. Thank you.
