one basic thing, Madam Speaker, the opportunity to have their say and, at a bare minimum, to appear before a public committee of the Manitoba Legislature. Let there be no doubt why the government voted down the motion yesterday. When the Union of Manitoba Municipalities, representing 166 municipalities across Manitoba, puts in a brief that states very clearly they are opposed to the privatization of MTS, we know this is a major issue in rural and northern Manitoba, and if we do not deal with this matter now, I believe we will not have the opportunity in any way, shape or form to be able to do it. This is our last chance to have a clear statement from the Legislature and try and persuade the government to have those rural and northern hearings. They voted it down yesterday, but that was before they received the brief from the Union of Manitoba Municipalities, from the Manitoba Society of Seniors, from many people from their own communities, people from Steinbach, people from the Springfield constituency, people from Erickson, people from Brandon--yes, the few that could make it in. And every rural presenter we spoke to said that people would attend hearings if there were hearings held in their own community. We had one individual present 43 names from Lundar, in the constituency of Lakeside, represented by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns), saying that they wish to have public hearings. All we are asking in this matter of urgent public importance