Mr. Steve Ashton (Opposition House Leader): I rise on a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker. I move, seconded by the member for Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk), that under Rule 31(1) the ordinary business of the House be set aside to discuss a matter of public importance, namely, the refusal of the Minister responsible for the Manitoba Telephone System (Mr. Findlay) to allow hearings in rural and northern Manitoba on Bill 67, The Manitoba Telephone System Reorganization and Consequential Amendments Act. Motion presented. Madam Speaker: Prior to recognizing the honourable member for Thompson, I would remind those members wishing to speak to the matter of urgent public importance that they should speak to the urgency of debating this today. Mr. Ashton: Madam Speaker, I can think of nothing more urgent than debating this matter today. The fate of the Manitoba Telephone System hangs in the balance. Yesterday, in committee, we moved a motion urging the government to hold hearings throughout rural and northern Manitoba on the issue of MTS, Bill 67 in particular. That motion was defeated by the government majority on that committee. Madam Speaker, I cannot think of an issue that is more important to rural and northern Manitobans today than the future of our telephone system, and I want to say on the record that many Manitobans that we have talked to in rural and northern Manitoba--and, by the way, we are the only party in this Legislature that has taken the time to hold public