Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have so many issues that are on the floor this week, and I think the strike and the lockout at the ferry in Fort Simpson is not getting as much attention as it should. It is a pretty serious issue, and I would like to ask some questions of the Minister of Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned about the fact that there are replacement workers being used, and that the ferry operation is allowed to continue by the contractor in
that -- I don't want to take sides on this issue, but -- it is not allowing both parties to come in and negotiate. From my understanding, they are not negotiating. The employer has refused to negotiate. Maybe they are back at the table, but I think it is really important, in a situation like this, that all levels of government and anybody with influence, do everything they can to bring the two parties to the table. Because if they're not talking, there's no way you're going to resolve anything.
Last time we had replacement workers here, I know it was a completely different situation, and it's a different scope, but it stills speaks to the importance of government stepping in. I really believe in that, and if I had anything that I want to argue for...So I would like to ask the Minister, what has this government done to bring both sides to negotiating, in terms of its own power or influencing the federal government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.