Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Public Works and Services, regarding the petroleum revolving fund and the proposal that has been in place for some time to consider commercializing petroleum products. The bands in Fort McPherson, the Tetlit Gwich'in Band and the Tetlit Gwich'in Co-op have been working on a proposal for some time. They put that proposal to the government quite some months ago, in looking at the privatization of petroleum products in Fort McPherson, to sell, deliver and distribute fuel products in Fort McPherson. Tsiigehtchic has also considered it.

There has been a lot of time and effort put into developing these proposals, crunching their numbers and getting their proposals in to the department so they could have a fair chance of the possibility coming to light of delivering products in that community.

Yet, Mr. Speaker, through a letter I just received, it clearly states that the whole ambition of privatization, considering proposals from agencies within our communities to deliver fuel products, has been put on the shelf until April 1, 2003. As a Member of this House, this is the first I have heard of it.

I would like to ask the Minister, exactly what is the chance of these organizations and groups who have submitted proposals seeing the light of day of having their proposals become reality and have the opportunity to take over petroleum products in our communities?