Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, for some odd reason, whenever things happen in southern Canada and in the United States that are of concern we, here in the Northwest Territories, feel the negative impact of legislation being created to correct that concern. More often than not, the input from northern people is seldom sought.

Today we had a very interesting meeting with Minister Rock and I would like to thank him for coming all the way to the Northwest Territories to hear our concerns on the issue, certainly on the one I'm going to raise, of gun control. An example of legislation would be the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. It was passed at the turn of the century by the United States, Mexico and southern Canada to conserve our bird population. No consultation was ever done in the Northwest Territories on the impact that it would have on the people.

It affected the spring hunting of hunters and trappers. That was an historical event. It was a time of year when people could take birds because in the fall, when the act allowed for hunting, any bird with any common sense -- that is; ducks and geese -- would have been long gone. It affected, until just recently, the ban on the sealing and whaling. Again, it was not northerners' fault that there was a problem with seal and whale hunting, but we felt that problem. The anti-fur law is another one.

Now there is a threat of gun control. Perhaps it's misunderstood, but nevertheless without consultation, it certainly would end up having a very severe negative impact on northern peoples.

Madam Speaker, just by way of example, there are very serious concerns on the restriction of all types of firearms. Madam Speaker, my time has run out. I seek unanimous consent to continue.