Mr. Speaker, I have three returns. The first one is to Mr. Kelvin Ng. The question he asked on December 2 regarding method of identifying former dumping sites in the Arctic Ocean.

The recent discovery of electrical equipment in the marine waters off Cambridge Bay has confirmed what has been suspected for many years, that the Arctic Ocean has been used for the disposal of hazardous wastes by operators of Canada's DEW Line system.

The survey work completed near Cambridge Bay last spring was undertaken by the federal government to assist in developing an overall plan to identify sites which may have been used for this purpose in the past. The Department of Renewable Resources assisted this survey work by providing logistical support to the divers and research scientists who were on site at the time.

The Government of the Northwest Territories strongly objects to the past and present disposal of hazardous wastes into the Arctic Ocean. We have stated this position publicly and to Environment Canada on many recent occasions, including a meeting of Environment Ministers which took place last month. I am presently writing to the newly appointed federal Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Sheila Copps, confirming my concerns with this matter.

The regulatory control of ocean dumping activities remains the mandate of the federal Department of the Environment. Until devolution of this regulatory responsibility can be successfully negotiated with the Government of Canada, this department will continue to encourage and provide assistance to federal regulators where we can identify former dumping sites.