Thank you, Mr. Chairman, it is in regard to the Keewatin resupply and to the understanding that I have, as chairman of the Resource Committee, in the last briefing that we had. We are on the understanding of yes, there were some difficulties, especially with the Churchill operation and the railroad. But when we were finished with the briefing, we understood that all these areas of concern were resolved. There were agreements in place with the outfit that was leasing the tanker farm facility and that the rail operation was going to continue. That was an understanding that we had and because of that, we basically made a decision in the committee, in which we made a recommendation in regard to the business plans, that in view of division in 1999, that it was moved, that we not enter into any contracts pertaining to tank farms beyond 1999.
Basically, we continue to operate with direct resupply as it presently exists in the Keewatin. That was the understanding that we had in the committee from the information that was given to us, but at no time were we aware that there was another area being accessed through the Department of Public Works and Services, in regard to the petroleum division.
I think because of that, it caught a lot of us off guard in regard to the public statements that were being made on the radio, to motions that were passed by municipalities, letters that we have received from different regions and communities in the north. I think because of that, there is a lot of discomfort for everyone here on this particular matter.
I would like to ask the Minister, despite what has been done to resolve the uncertainty that was out there, why is it that we are continuing on with the project with the understanding that we still do have a credible, direct resupply service that can continue on with the job until 1999?