Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I expressed my concerns about the safety of our current forest fire operation in relation to the DC-4s. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in this House, the Minister responsible for fire management indicated that all the Bird Dog officers were working or in orientation. I'm not disputing that fact, Mr. Speaker; in fact, that was true. However, they were working with the CL-215s, not with the DC-4s. These officers continue to question the safety of the tankers, of the DC-4s, and of the land-based program.

Apparently, there is one Bird Dog pilot without any experience with fires, and one experienced tanker captain. The crews are still short a Bird Dog pilot and a tanker pilot with experience. At first, Mr. Speaker, it sounds positive that there are two experienced pilots; however, as an example, the tanker pilot's experience is 392 hours as co-pilot, not the 500 hours called for in the request for proposal. As well, because the hours were as co-pilot, he does not have the direct experience with how to make the attack. In the thick of things, it is the pilot, pot the co-pilot, who pulls the trigger to drop the retardant or the mixtures. It is the pilot who will drop the substance where it belongs; or misses the target and loses valuable time; or worse, hits crews working on the ground.

Mr. Speaker, firefighting is how these Bird Dog officers make their living. The fact that they refuse to work with the DC-4s and, given no alternative, would rather lose their job, tells me that the safety concerns have still not been met. As we hear of more fires like the one in Fort Norman, we will need our full fire suppression team. I hope the Minister will take these comments seriously and ensure the Bird Dog officers' concerns are addressed soon.

Mr. Speaker, the Bird Dog officers believe that the situation is an accident waiting for a place to happen. It is up to the Minster and this government to make sure that this does not happen. Thank you.

--- Applause