Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me also congratulate you on your election to the Speaker's chair. I know that you will do an excellent job. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to briefly express a concern that the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council has brought to my attention. They, along with other aboriginal organizations in the western Arctic, have been invited by the Ministry of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs to attend a briefing -- I believe it is tomorrow -- concerning a draft protocol and mandate for negotiation and implementation of self-government agreements in the north. It is my understanding that this draft protocol mandate has received Cabinet approval.

Mr. Speaker, while I have not had an opportunity to examine the mandate and protocol, it is my understanding that it will outline the role of the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs in self-government negotiations between the federal Crown and aboriginal organizations in the western Arctic.

Mr. Speaker, the point I want to make is that it is inappropriate for our government to develop a mandate and protocol, at this point in the game, before we even know what the new federal policy will be on negotiating self-government agreements. Thank you.