Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee of Economic Development and Environment in fact did have the opportunity to interact with the Minister on this bill. We did share with the Minister some items of concern. However, most of those have to do with the future of the marine transportation system. We certainly recognize the need for the amendment to the Revolving Funds Act so that the MTS, if we can call it that now, has the ability to function with the degree of fluidity much like a business and allowing the flexibility that it needs to react quickly, if need be.
We also want to take the opportunity to commend the government for stepping up and acting fast to make this acquisition possible as the Minister alluded to in his comments, the former provider had provided critical services to the territory for a long period of time and knowing that we could have possibly lost this critical service that the reliance on this service to the community was highly important and that the acquisition was necessary. We also want the department to know that the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment wants to work with the department going forward on the future of the evolution of MTS and we will be seeking to engage the public on that front, but in the meantime, we appreciate the department's resources, human and otherwise, are very focused right now on finishing up the transition but more importantly getting ready for the forthcoming sailing season and that's crucial to our communities.
I'm not sure that I have anything more to add at this point. I just want the department to know that by and large, there was no real opposition to the revolving funds amendment itself. Generally, we find ourselves in support. Thank you, Mr. Chair.