Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Deh Cho First Nations want to host an economic development conference soon and I support that concept because in my constituency, there are many different economic opportunities that have been undertaken by individuals and different bands and companies over the years and there has never been an economic development conference in my constituency.

Over the past couple of years, there have been discussions on the community level to try to put together some sort of a conference. This is to try to develop a framework economic development strategy for the whole region. What will it achieve? Well, it will achieve formulating several actions plans for key economic sectors which will, in turn, roll into a comprehensive regional economic development strategy. There are different opportunities in each of these sectors presently: transportation, oil and gas; communications; mining; and, resource harvesting. That is naming just a few opportunities that are out there. Participation is very important for everyone in the region and in the communities to try to put our heads together to see what is there and plan for the future. I think it is very important in light of the fact that in 1999, once division happens, the north is going to have to be revisited and see what we have and how we will deal with what we have. This is the direction in my constituency. There is a request to

the government by people in my area for financial support to put on such a conference.

Just recently, there was a conference in Rankin Inlet where the government supported this major initiative, so people could put their heads together and see how economic opportunities could be realized. This is similar to that type of request. I would just like the House to know that this is the direction people in my constituency are taking at this time. Mahsi cho.

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