Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, I attended a meeting with representatives from the town of Iqaluit and the Amarok HTA with government officials to discuss harbour improvements planned over the next three years in Iqaluit. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Honourable John Todd, Minister of Transportation, for making...

---Applause

...two of his very capable officials who are engineers available to assist the community in discussing the various options that are before them. I was pleased that at that meeting it was announced by those officials that increased authority over these community works would be transferred to the region, so that the projects could be managed closer to home, as it were. I have every confidence in the regional superintendent of the Department of Transportation in the Baffin, Mr. Methusalah Kunuk and his staff. I welcome he and his officials being given more responsibility to oversee this very important work.

I would also like to give credit to Coast Guard Canada, whose acting director of northern operations, Mr. Ian Marr attended the meeting, along with one of his officials. Mr. Marr gave the community an indication of changes that have taken place in Coast Guard Canada. One of the changes that we welcome is that there is now a one-window approach for northern operations for the Coast Guard. So the various functions that have been split throughout Coast Guard Canada and throughout several regions will now be dealt with under Mr. Marr's office, which is welcome.

We also had some useful discussions with Coast Guard Canada about improving local employment and possibly obtaining a harbour master in Iqaluit and encouraging a local person to obtain those qualifications.

So it was a good meeting, Mr. Speaker. We look forward to close cooperation with local people and government officials to make this project a success. Thank you very much.