Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Minister of Public Works and Services... I cannot.

Yes, I deserve respect because I am older than most Members here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the Minister of Public Works and Services' statement, he indicated, and I quote, "the residents of the Keewatin can look forward to some savings during the period when the new pipelines are being paid for. However, you will see a significant reduction in fuel prices after the five-year payback period." We are specifically talking about Keewatin.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The way resupply contracts are issued in the north are in zones or in groups. There is the eastern Arctic resupply, which includes pretty much the whole of Baffin region and which includes Repulse Bay and part of Pelly Bay. There is Keewatin region, and then there is the Kitikmeot region These are stand alone, paying-for-themselves-type contracts. Therefore, there should not be significant changes to the Keewatin resupply as a result of this. Perhaps, in the future, as Nunavut evolves and savings for the Nunavut government are realized, the significant savings, I would expect that would make a difference in the general coffers of the Nunavut government, and therefore affect the Kitikmeot.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I think $65 million to $100 million is significant savings to the region for the Keewatin. Mr. Chairman, can the Minister tell this committee if any consultation or study was done on the possible impact of this initiative on other areas of the Northwest Territories like the Kitikmeot region? Thank you.

No, there were no studies or consultations. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I had a strong feeling that this, a major project, was predetermined by the Cabinet or perhaps by a single Minister. I do not know. I think, Mr. Chairman, it would be interesting to find out which company in the Keewatin region would benefit from the construction and the maintenance of the proposed project. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think the Member brought up some more than interesting things and I think it is important to say, very clearly, that we do not foresee, at all, that the Keewatin fuel resupply contract will have any effect on the Kitikmeot region. The concerns that I have heard expressed from Mr. Wilcox and Mr. Dillon are almost word for word what Mr. Clement, the president of NTCL, been telling us over the last few months since we have made the decision. I believe these were the same words pretty much as the Member for Hay River, had said. I understand that she is very responsibly trying to protect the company that is situated in Hay River and that has an important contribution to the economy there. But it is important for Members, I think, to try to understand the logic behind why we are doing it. I have tried to explain it over and over again. It is clear to me. Clear in my head and maybe I am the only one, but I have been able to convince Cabinet, and I know there is support in the Keewatin region except amongst some smaller circles. As far as who will get the work in the Keewatin region, that is yet to be determined, following the RFPs, but I would hope that it is a Keewatin company foremost and then a company from the Nunavut area second and the Northwest Territories third. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I am having a hard time following this conversation. We have all been here for a little over 15 hours. I move we report progress.

Mr. Chairman, in view of the fact that of all the, discussion with all the Members who are opposed to this particular venture, it is very difficult for me to support this. I think perhaps it is time for the Minister to attempt to put together some sort of a document and the rest of us can have a look at it. But at this particular time, I would not be able to support the project that has been discussed here for about the last two and one-half hours or whatever it was. Thank you.

Can I go home now?