Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government has boldly embraced the Internet. We have signed a multi-billion dollar contract to provide the backbone for the electronic highway in all territorial communities. I know the Internet is a very valuable source of information. It has changed many of the ways that we do business. I agree that it would be nice for every NWT community to have access to the net but, in our rush to be part of the technological revolution, I want to make sure we have thought of all the impacts. I have an area of concern that I want to raise today.

Mr. Speaker, my concern is the impact that this electronic backbone is going to have on existing service providers. As we try to provide services where there are none through this huge contract, I am not sure the government has thought about those who already provide this service in some communities. These business people have made significant investments to give people access to the electronic highway. Will they be able to compete with government-supported big business? In November, one of my colleagues asked about the impact of the digital communication network on the existing service providers in some of the communities. The Minister was unable to give a clear indication of what was happening at that time. Can the Minister tell this House what arrangements have been made to ensure existing service providers are not negatively affected as a result of the GNWTs' contract for the electronic backbone? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.