Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last October I rose in this House to make a statement on behalf of the Ordinary Members' Caucus regarding gun control. We had just met with the Honourable Allan Rock, the federal Minister of Justice, and shared with him our many concerns regarding potential gun control legislation.

The issues we raised with the Minister included: the use of firearms as tools in traditional lifestyles; the negative impact that the registration of all firearms would have in the north; the need of a large bureaucracy to support this type of registration; and, concern regarding restrictions on sales of ammunition.

Members had a positive feeling about the meeting and felt that Minister Rock listened to and understood our concerns. In concluding our statement in October, I said, Mr. Speaker, "We hope in preparing legislation the Minister will acknowledge our unique situation and provide an exemption or other mechanisms which will provide legislation which is practical, sage and realistic in the northern environment."

Well, Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the legislation tabled by Minister Rock last week did not address any of the concerns we raised with him. There is no acknowledgement in the legislation of the unique circumstances of northern people. Members are not satisfied with many aspects of the gun control legislation tabled by the federal government.

Obviously the meeting with Allan Rock was not sufficient to ensure our concerns were heard and addressed. Therefore, tomorrow I will be introducing a motion on behalf of the Ordinary Members' Caucus which should send a message to the federal government that we are not satisfied and the legislation must be changed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.