Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Quite frankly, we didn't have northern communities and remote communities represented here, so I think it would be a question that this committee could have put. I think we had very extensive consultations, but we didn't consult northern and remote communities to the same extent. So it's fair to say that if we brought those communities here, I think the concerns would be very valid. As a result of that, we thought of tabling this amendment in order to provide some sort of structure when there is reduction or discontinuation of services, even in a seasonal context. So it's important to provide some mechanism.
I don't see this as a huge cost component. It simply says providing:
an opportunity for elected officials of the municipal or local government of the community...to meet and discuss with the licensee the impact of the proposed discontinuance or reduction.
We're not talking about a huge royal commission. We're talking about meeting with local officials, and maybe finding solutions to that discontinuance or reduction that would allow that community to continue the service in some way, even in the off season.