Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are a number of areas I would just like to make some general comments on and pose some questions when we get into the line by line or general question period. One of the things that I have noted about this department as I have been a Member of the Resource Management Committee, I would like to state that this department has taken a substantial reduction last year and this year. This year's reduction is $16 million in funding, of which $12 million is capital and $4 million is O and M. Additionally, this department has been reduced by 30 positions. I was concerned about the reduction of these numbers of individuals. Fifteen positions were vacated but 15 positions were filled. I guess my concern with the reduction, Mr. Chairman, is that while we are reducing all these positions, we are not really eliminating any programs. The programs need to be continued to be delivered or, at least, the department is indicating that the programs will continue to be delivered.

Another area of concern I had was with respect to the airport lighting at Arviat. We checked the five year capital plan and it had been projected and reported that Arviat definitely needed new airport lighting. Yet, all of a sudden when we see the business plans in the budget, it only has $50,000 for the replacement. Really it is a repair job on the lighting. I guess the concern I have is why was it originally slated that the lighting system needed to be replaced, yet now we found out that no, it does not to be replaced. We will just do a patch-up job on it. The other area of concern, as the report indicates, has to do with the Rankin Inlet resupply terminal and the recommendation of the committee that any capital projects related to the Rankin Inlet tank farm not be included in this particular department. I believe there is funding of $800,000 which we need some explanation on.

I have some concern about the timeframe of the transfer of staff to Nunavut and where the staff will be going. By timeframe, I understand that the department does have a program to transfer staff to Nunavut and I would like to know when that timeframe is, who is affected, and the amount of staff.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, the emergency response services--the units have been eliminated for Norman Wells and Iqaluit and I would like to get the Minister's comments on that. Thank you.