January 6, 2000

MEETING POSTPONED: SELINGER

Finance Minister Greg Selinger today announced that the budget consultation meeting scheduled for Churchill tomorrow has been postponed, at the request of the Mayor Mike Spence and town officials, due to the recent telecommunications difficulties encountered by the community.

"We recognize the hardship that the community is currently facing and it would not be appropriate to continue with the meeting as presently scheduled," said Selinger. "It is our hope to reschedule the budget consultation meeting at a later time."

The minister noted that Eric Robinson, minister of aboriginal and northern affairs, and Steve Ashton, minister of highways and government services, along with representatives of the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) will be meeting with community members this evening to discuss the current telecommunications problems.

"We want to express our concern with the current situation in the community and it is important that we get a firsthand look at the hardship that the Churchill Hospital, local businesses and the residents are facing," said Robinson.

The business community at Churchill deals with individuals and organizations from around the world and the loss of telecommunications is a very serious matter to them, he noted.

"It is important that the concerns of the residents of Churchill are addressed," said Ashton. "We want to take this opportunity to reassure the community that the government is working to ensure that all affected service is restored as soon as possible."

On Jan. 2 a telecommunications satellite that serviced Churchill collapsed leaving the community without long distance phone service.

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