Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we totally agree; the strike and the disruption in service at the Fort Simpson/Liard River ferry crossing is an important one. It's an issue, up to now, that has been an issue between the employer and the employees, over wages. Our government has been monitoring the situation. The issue about replacement workers is something that is regulated through the Canadian Labour Code, which is a federal regulation, and it allows for replacement workers. It's a legal position. Our own government does not have legislation preventing the use of replacement workers, and we would encourage both sides to sit down and have a discussion and negotiation over this issue that's keeping them apart.
Early on in discussions, a conciliator was brought in, and it was decided, at that time, by the conciliator, that the two sides were quite a ways apart, and there was no room for him to play a role in this.
Recently, the federal Minister of Labour decided to bring in a mediator, and the mediator is working towards bringing both sides to the table. We did receive notice, however, today that the contractor will be ceasing operation of the ferry as of tonight. So we are looking at the situation. We've tried hard to encourage both sides to come to the table. The Premier has indicated yesterday that he will be contacting the Minister of Labour to try to get them to do everything in their power to get both sides to come to a satisfactory arrangement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.