Mr. Hnatyshyn:

Bring in the British commandos.

Hon. John Roberts (Minister of State for Science and Technology and Minister of the Environment):

Madam Speaker, this is a very tense, difficult and delicate situation. I am anxious not to say anything which might exacerbate the present difficulties.

Move it to Peterborough or Cornwall.

Mr. Roberts:

I have been in continuing discussion with the premier of the province. We have been discussing, together, a variety of approaches which we might take to release tensions in the area.

I cannot say much more to the hon. member than that at the present time. I cannot assure him that I will very soon be able to say much more. I can assure him that we are very concerned about the situation. It does have our attention, and continuous discussions are taking place with provincial authorities.

Mr. Corbett:

Madam Speaker, the minister's response is small comfort, I am sure, to those who live and work in the region and must depend upon it for their living.

I would ask the minister if he has taken into his confidence his colleague in the other place, the former premier of the province, who engineered the Kouchibouguac situation-or the deal betweeen the federal government and the provincial government-and also whether he would be prepared to go to Kouchibouguac, perhaps in the company of the minister of fisheries from New Brunswick-who has been strangely silent

May 6, 1980

Oral Questions

on this particular matter-in an effort to get the matter resolved.

Wear an armoured vest.

Mr. Roberts:

Madam Speaker, these are very interesting suggestions and I will give them the weight of consideration which they deserve.

Mr. Crosbie:

Take Romeo with you.

Mr. Bud Bradley (Haldimand-Norfolk):

My question is for the Minister of Supply and Services. Since the new fighter aircraft contract has been announced, and since the minister is reported as saying he would table the contract two weeks ago, could the minister inform this House when, in fact, the new fighter aircraft contract will be tabled?

Madam Speaker, as I have advised members of the opposition, it is my intention to table the contract as soon as practicable.

You said that two weeks ago.

Same old secret bunch.

Mr. Bradley:

Madam Speaker, through fear the same old bunch is using the same old time-frame. Could the minister possibly inform this House how soon "as soon as practicable" may be?

Mr. Blais:

Madam Speaker, 1 thought that my reply was clear.

You are wrong.

Mr. Ray Skelly (Comox-Powell River):

Madam Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, and it pertains to the rate increase by the B.C. Telephone Company to sponsor a $300 million capital investment program.

The president of Gentel, the owner of B.C. Telephone, says that the capital equipment is not required and the rate increase will, in fact, involve a reduction in service and local lay-offs. Could the minister undertake to investigate the basis for this rate increase and the relationship between the B.C. Telephone Company and its suppliers, especially AEL Microtel, and

intercede in those hearings if irregularities do appear from the investigation?

Hon. Andre Ouellet (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs):

Madam Speaker, my reply to the first part of the question is yes. As to the last part, I am not sure that the recommendation made by the hon. member is appropriate. In any case, I am still prepared to consider it.