Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister responsible for telecommunications. Mr. Speaker, on February, 1997, 69 first-world and developing countries agreed to liberalize their basic telecommunication services under the general agreement on trade and

services, negotiated through the World Trade Organization. Most participants in the agreement, including Canada, subscribed to a pro-competitive regulatory principal. How will NorthwesTel's request for this $30 million subsidy be reconciled in view of the general agreement on trade and services signed by Canada and 68 other countries? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.