Mr. Speaker, the armoured personnel carrier contract, the refurbishment of the old carriers and the direction of part of that work to Chatham-and the hon. member conveniently forgot to mention that most of the work on the refurbishment would be done at the defence workshops in the east end of Montreal-do not constitute any reparation or compensation for base closures. We have categorically ruled that out.
If we can assist a community, whether it is Chatham, Saint-Jean, Quebec, Calgary or anywhere else where base closures have been announced, by directing or encouraging suppliers to do business with a base or make purchases or manufacture in certain regions, then we would do so.
What we have said because of all of the closures-the one at Chatham being the most devastating in terms of its regional impact-is that any contractor who wishes to carry out a small part of the work of refurbishment would have to stipulate that the work be done in Chatham, New Brunswick. I think that is fair and equitable.