Recently there was an announcement about a new communications system for schools. It said that all NWT schools would be able to use computers to send messages to each other. This announcement reminded me again of the problems of those seven communities without phone services. Schools in those communities can't use this latest technology.
When the CRTC held hearings last summer, I spoke about the great need for full telephone services in all NWT communities. Mr. Kakfwi also spoke at those hearings on behalf of people in Colville Lake.
As I reported to you by letter, the CRTC's decision in December requires NorthwesTel to file a plan for providing full services in the unserved communities. This plan is due by June 20. In January, I wrote to the president of NorthwesTel. I said that we looked forward to their renewed efforts to extend services to all communities as soon as possible. It is important for us to keep this issue in front of the public. I will continue to encourage NorthwesTel to fulfil their commitments.