Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a few general comments on the Renewable Resources budget. Honourable Members who were here in the House, during the 11th Assembly, will recall that I have raised many of these issues before. I do not need to comment on the importance of this department, Mr. Chairman, this is something that has been emphasized many times in this House. The Minister mentioned that again, in his opening comments earlier today, sustainable development. The way we care for our renewable resources in the Northwest Territories, the programs, the services that we develop to ensure our animals and our land survives. The policies that we develop to support the continued survival of our traditional harvesting activities and even our ability to protect our environment from contaminants resulting from industrial development within and outside the Northwest Territories. These are all critical to our identity as native people, and as northerners. These matters are critical for another matter, as well, they have always been, and will continue to be vital to the emerging economy of the territories.
This is clearly laid out in the economic development strategy which Mr. Wray, during the 11th Assembly, brought before this House. The strategy document titled "Renewable Resources Building on a Tradition." Mr. Chairman, I am going to quote from that document, "people in the Northwest Territories have depended on the land and all it offers for thousands of years. Our renewable resources continue to have great significance to northern lifestyles and cultures, as well as to our economy. Renewable resources have the potential to contribute even more to the economy than they do at present. We could use more of our resources and use them more profitably in a manner consistent with traditional northern values."
That is what was said in the government's economic development strategy when it was prepared in February, 1990. It is still relevant today, as it was then, maybe even more so, particularly for people in my region who have just recently initiated some exciting new prospects that will allow us to use our rivers as a source of hydroelectric power.
As Dene, the people of the North Slave are enthusiastic about the promises of these new developments, but, we insist that they proceed in a manner consistent with traditional northern values, as outlined in the economic development strategy. We may be looking to the Department of Renewable Resources for consultative and technical support through the course of our negotiation as we approach this new initiative.
I wonder if the Minister has considered this in his budgetary planning for the current year, Mr. Chairman?