Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the hon. gentleman and also the people in the Pinawa district of Manitoba that the Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the President of Treasury Board, the Minister of Finance and myself have been seized with this issue. We have been working very hard to find the best solution for all concerned.
The most immediate issue relates to the employees' status in the circumstances of the potential layoffs to which the hon. gentleman referred. He may be assured that we will take all steps necessary to make sure that their positions are protected.