Mr. Speaker, I realize that nowadays it is impossible to conduct business without a telephone. But I was astonished to learn recently that the Minister of Public Works and Government Services had bought satellite telephones for various departments at a cost of $5,000 each. It was such a good deal that he decided to buy over 200 sets, at a cost to taxpayers of over $1 million.
I wonder whether the minister could tell Canadians why the government needs to buy new telephones at $5,000 each?