Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. I think it is properly put and one which deserves clarification in comparison to what I heard yesterday.
The answer is very clear. The industrial adjustment service is a program that works nationally throughout Canada to help a broad range of communities which are facing adjustment problems, either the loss of major industries or the prospect of developing new industries. In each of these cases the IAS program is set up through an independent committee.
In the case of the new arena in Winnipeg the MEC worked out with the regional director of human resources to establish an independent committee. It is made up of people who are not involved in the program designed to bring the stakeholders together. There is no involvement by the minister. There is no direct involvement.
They work with all those involved in the project to find a way of making an adjustment. In this case the primary objective was to develop alternate plans to save 1,400 jobs at risk as a result of the decisions being taken in relation to the arena.
That was the process which was taking place, an independent committee making decisions and working with major stakeholders to ensure we could find the best means of saving jobs in Winnipeg.