Mr. Chairman, as I pointed out, the spill was discovered in 1996 when an underground fuel tank was removed. Following that, Public Works & Services at the time contracted a local firm to investigate the extent of the contamination and to recommend a cleanup and environmental remediation plan.

The results of that showed that the contamination had spread to a fairly extensive area, but had not yet seeped into the adjacent residential areas. The plan was put together and moved on as quickly as our government became aware of it.

I cannot really speak to what happened between 1996 and 1999 or 2000, when we became aware that this was a major issue. Thank you.