Thank you, Madam Speaker, and congratulations. Madam Speaker, the legal opinion that we obtained indicated that people who earn wages in the Northwest Territories should pay that tax. The Member is correct, I did meet with Mr. Erasmus on this particular issue because the administration of the Dene Nation has not
registered and has not been remitting the tax. I have been advised by Mr. Erasmus that he is in consultation with the federal department of Finance and the Department of Revenue with regard to the total exemption of any taxes, including GST; taxes on alcohol; taxes on cigarettes; taxes on property, presumably; and taxes on motor fuel.
My agreement with him was that I would meet with the federal Minister of Finance -- and I'm going to in January -- and we would discuss this issue, because it really flows from the federal government. I recognize the fact that they're doing it on the basis of a treaty that was signed by people of the Northwest Territories. There were actually two treaties with the Government of Canada of the day. I will wait until I talk with the Minister of Finance and see what the federal government is going to do with regard to this general issue.