Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for coming.
I'd like to thank the staff for coming in as well.
This is a 50-year problem that's been affecting northerners. I have communities in the north that are also suffering. Back in 2006, Minister Prentice was the minister who wanted to bring these changes forward. In budget 2010, the government committed an additional $45 million over two years, which brings the total funding up to almost $60 million.
Minister, you mentioned a really good point: this is for food, not for snowmobiles, not for timber, and not for vehicle parts. This is a program that was out of control. I think with the committee here we have to get this thing back on the rails and deal with the nutritional issues facing northerners as a whole. All these vehicle parts can be hauled in on the regular freight liners and ocean liners during the season.
My colleague Mr. Bagnell brought up an issue here, a good concern, with regard to Old Crow in the Yukon. I'm just wondering, on the points he raised, how the concerns of Old Crow are being addressed.