Mr. Speaker, I greatly appreciate the hon. member's question, because this is situation is of considerable interest and concern to us.
We are monitoring this situation very closely, because the region in general is going through a very difficult time at present. My assistant deputy minister in Montreal has met with representatives of the miners who have been laid off, and we have begun to look at very concrete situations and active policies to try to help them, including training, and to assist them in getting what they need to return to the work force.