Mr. Speaker, I am well aware of the importance of lighthouses, and not only as safety concern. They are somewhat of a mythical institution in Atlantic Canada. I am sure my friend across the way will agree with me on that. Being brought up on the Atlantic Ocean, we know that lighthouses are a very important part of our culture and our way of life.
I have been to the community of Wallace. I do not recall seeing the actual lighthouse, but I can vouch for the beauty and charm of that community and other communities along that part of the Northumberland Strait. Perhaps I can see the lighthouse from my own home, I do not know, but when I get home I will try.
To answer my learned colleague's question, it is my understanding that consultations have been held with the community, with the stakeholders, and that a resolution of this issue has been reached. The lighthouse is either in the process of being fixed or it will be, and it will be of course maintained in its current capacity.
This issue is being played out across Atlantic Canada. We have both the importance of lighthouses and what I call our love of lighthouses. There is the importance we feel that these institutions have, but we also have at the same time the advent of technology, technology for navigational aids, new technology used by the Coast Guard.
It is also, I should point out, the technology used on many of the boats and vessels that are seen along the Atlantic coast and within the Northumberland Strait. This is an issue that is being played out right across Atlantic Canada.
Of course we do not have the number of lighthouses we used to have years ago and certainly a lot of the lighthouses are now unmanned. We know, of course, that many years ago we had manned lighthouses.
In conclusion, let me say that I believe this issue has been resolved. Again, it is probably a good example of consultation between the stakeholders, the community and the Coast Guard.