(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to bring an item that was a concern in our region, in our community, Grise Fiord. You are probably aware that on October 4th I raised the issue of failure of a sea lift vessel to reach Grise Fiord with annual resupply of food. (End of translation)

We were assured that the government would make sure and I quote, the community is adequately supplied for the year to come. We also received assurance from this government that it will do everything possible to make sure our communities have adequate food levels and supplies in the communities to survive through the winter months. Many of us come from small, isolated communities and many of us can remember very clearly the reality and single store, perhaps Hudson's Bay store, perhaps a Co-op store, as the only source of food and other supplies for our people.

Grise Fiord is still the most northern community. It is still one of the smallest and has only one store. The people of Grise Fiord have a long tradition of working hard to take care of themselves and they are not in the habit of turning to the government for help. This year ice conditions have prevented the ship carrying the year's supply for the Co-op store from reaching Grise Fiord. This is no one's fault. This is the reality of the high arctic. By the middle of October the issue was in the hands of several government departments, and the standard bureaucratic exchange of phone calls, faxes, issue papers and discussions had started. This is no longer an emergency. Mr. Speaker, this is now an exercise to minimize any cost to this government. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.