Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is also to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Mr. Speaker, I'm aware that the Minister and her staff have spent considerable time, probably over the last six years, working on the northern energy accord which focuses solely on oil and gas issues. I'm also aware that the progress on the agreement really was stalled and not concluded by the previous federal government.

My question is this, Mr. Speaker, given that there is now a new government in Ottawa which has been talking, very supportively, about completing the job of devolving responsibilities to the Northwest Territories -- we heard the Prime Minister make those very positive comments in the House -- what has the Minister and her government done to reopen discussions on the northern accord since the election of the new government?