Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question.
The hon. member will know that our contract is with the main contractor and not with the subcontractors. There is no, what they call in law, privity of contract between the Government of Canada and the subcontractor. However I instructed my deputy minister to apprise the main contractor to try to resolve the issue as expeditiously as possible. We have sent communications to him and we are hoping the matter which occurred will not occur again.
With regard to subsequent contracts I assure the hon. member as well as other members of the House that, notwithstanding the fact it is beyond the legal ramifications of the Government of Canada in terms of the privity of contract, we will ensure this kind of behaviour is not tolerated. Therefore we will have to look at all contracts awarded in that manner.