Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ice storm in southern Canada, particularly Quebec and Ontario, has been the focus of many news stories over the past few weeks. The power outages have caused some disruption with flights and freight schedules in the Baffin region because most of our goods and services as well as transportation routes south connecting either Montreal or Ottawa. Mr. Speaker, many of us here in the north can sympathize with our neighbours in the south who are dealing with the continuing serious problem. It has taken lives, caused millions of dollars of damage and lost businesses as thousands of people are still without power.
Mr. Speaker, the upside to this story is how Canadians from British Columbia to Newfoundland to the NWT have chipped in with donations of blankets, money, food, wood, et cetera. Staff at the Iqaluit NTPC office took the initiative to offer a spare portable industrial generator to the Red Cross emergency workers last week. With the offer of free freight from First Air, the machine was sent down to the Montreal area last weekend and was hooked up for usage at an emergency shelter in Ville de Marieville. It is supplying between 400 and 500 people with heat and light in an area that has not yet had power restored. The unit will be returned when it is no longer required.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask Members of this House to join me in thanking our Iqaluit NTPC employees as well as all northern businesses and individuals who have chipped in to help our fellow Canadians dealing with the effects of that winter storm. A special thanks to First Air who facilitated the delivery of the generator free of charge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause