I will make a quick comment as an update of my position, which I've had for a number of years, to make sure nothing has changed. Then I'll have a couple of questions. The first part is not your problem, so you don't have to answer.
Obviously our fleet of search and rescue planes are in dismal condition. For years you've asked for their replacement, and they haven't been replaced yet. The minister has promised it's coming, but they're not there.
As you know, my particular interest, as we've discussed before, is the lack of fixed-wing aircraft--and I believe helicopters, which I'll ask about later--in the northern half of Canada. In fact, since the planes are along the border of the southern half, their range is useless anyway, which is a waste. It is more critical in the north, even though, as we've discussed, there are obviously fewer incidents. It's far more critical because of your short time to die in hypothermic conditions in those temperatures, and there are fewer people around. The Arctic Ocean is cold.
A plane in the north wouldn't have to change its load to be specific to the Arctic. They could make adjustments before they take off. Sometimes I think we should put the people making these decisions in the Arctic Ocean and tell them it's okay, a plane is coming--but it's coming from Winnipeg.
Here is my first question. To deal with this abysmal problem in the north, I understand that you may be coming up with a good solution and negotiating with the private sector and CASARA to do a more comprehensive initial response and maybe deal with that problem in a way other than by putting fixed-wing planes north of 60. Is there any progress on that front?