Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Madam Speaker, I do recognize the problem, although I would advise the House that what the CIBC is doing in the Northwest Territories, they have been doing in northern Manitoba for some time. They were well down the road to negotiating this arrangement with the Northern stores six or eight months ago. I think all we've done is moved ahead their time schedule.

I would point out to the Member, through you, Madam Speaker, that there are other banks dealing in the Northwest Territories, at the present time, which are looking at other communities. I'm aware that those talks are ongoing. There may be other banks who are going to move into other communities with some services. Certainly, I don't want to give anybody the impression that there's a bank talking about a standard bricks and mortar bank, but they're certainly looking at things like debit cards and money machines.

I want to be very frank with the house that I'm somewhat alarmed at a letter I've received from Northern stores that indicated to me that they don't feel the CIBC has an exclusive agreement with Northern stores. I checked with our people who were in the room when the CIBC made a presentation to them and they said they felt that the CIBC indicated a sole vendors agreement, an exclusive agreement. I'm having that checked out at the present time, Madam Speaker. If, in fact, the Northern stores are correct in what they say, it does not preclude other banks from going to other branches of Northern stores and co-operatives and saying they will put in debit card systems. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Go ahead, Mr. Whitford.