That still does not give me or these people a level of comfort. We still have to contact them, and that gives them at least four hours from noon tomorrow to prepare a submission. I think they need a little more time than that. Thank you.

I am not sure that was a question, Mr. Koe. Mr. Whitford.

Oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development. Yesterday he indicated to my colleague, Mr. Antoine, a process in which Members of this House could raise concerns with regard to the Daishowa Dam project, which was a process of writing letters. This government has embarked upon a court case, and I want to know if that is a better way of dealing with this particular matter, rather than writing letters to Pauline Browes.

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think, Mr. Speaker, I was referring to that matter in the context of, whether Mr. Allooloo could do something while he was there, and how Members could get their point across to the Government of Japan. Obviously, this venture is on Canadian soil, and seeking satisfaction through Canadian courts is much more effective. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Now question, Mr. Nerysoo.

Supplementary, but to a different Minister, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Justice. Are we proceeding with the court case against Daishowa with regard to their construction of the dam?

Minister of Justice, Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, as of this date the government has not made a decision about how this case will be dealt with. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In light of the criticisms and concerns that have been raised by the people of the North, with regard to that particular project, does the Minister not think it is important to proceed, as soon as possible, within the judicial system?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I do agree that we have a good legal hammer to use in the Daishowa matter, following the Oldman Dam case, which I think has strengthened our position in the Daishowa matter. The question I think the government has to consider, though, Mr. Speaker, is whether there is some percentage in trying to negotiate a settlement, as it were, with the federal government which would result in their agreeing to an environmental review, rather than continuing with an extensive and very protracted course of litigation. So there is no question of abandoning the point, Mr. Speaker. It is a question of how we exercise the legal muscle that we have on this matter, whether we do it by negotiation or whether we do it by the more protracted litigation route. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, could I ask the Minister of Justice if he has even raised the matter with his cabinet colleagues?

Minister of Justice, Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, yes, I have. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Could the Minister then indicate what options have been considered and whether or not you are going to consider proceeding with the court case?

Minister of Justice, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are involved in the litigation, which is at the moment adjourned without a date pending the Oldman Dam

decision. So, Mr. Speaker, we still are part of that litigation, and, unless, we withdraw, we will participate when the case is revived. Mr. Speaker, discussions in cabinet have indicated that there would be some merit in trying to work with the federal government to secure their agreement to discharge what we believe is their legal responsibility and obligation under the federal responsibilities for inland waters, for aboriginal people, for fisheries, to conduct the proper environmental review that we believe has never been done in the Daishowa case. So cabinet has agreed that we should press the federal government to do what we believe they should have done, and now must do, as a result of Oldman Dam, and that is the strategy we are taking at the moment without giving up our right to pursue the matter later through litigation when the case again comes before the courts. Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo, I believe you have had your three supplementary questions. Mr. Arvaluk.