Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question. I welcome this opportunity to give you an update on the situation.
As he rightly pointed out, from the outset the federal mediation and conciliation service provided assistance to the parties to try to achieve a negotiated settlement. Federal mediation and conciliation officials are still working at it as we speak. They are trying to get the parties to at least come back to the bargaining table and look for a solution.
I do hope common sense will prevail and that they will start negotiating again so that this whole issue can be settled as soon as possible and service restored to Canadians.