Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, although the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is very small, they have a very big responsibility. Mr. Chairman, I know this department has been concentrating heavily on energy development and other development of our resources, but they have been concentrating most on the mining sector.

I will talk about the intergovernmental cooperation that is required by this department. It is very important that they work very closely with Renewable Resources and Economic Development and Tourism because they are all interlinked, Mr. Chairman. I think the department has to work closely with these other departments because these departments are linked to the mining sector. The study that Renewable Resources is undertaking now is going to be very critical to the development of our mining sector and it is going to be a plan our government has to follow. Cooperation is very critical, not only because of that but also with regard to the environmental

assessment panel that is undertaking a review of the BHP development.

I think, particularly with Renewable Resources and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, our government has to have a unified voice when making presentations to these types of panels. In the past, I don't think we have had that unified approach. It is very critical now, especially in our mining sector, that these departments have a unified approach.

Mr. Chairman, I know there is a lot of emphasis put on our northern accord and mineral accord by this department. I know they are the lead department in this area. I agree with the approach they are taking. I think the department, to date, has been very sensitive and I agree that they are getting the aboriginal groups involved, more so than before. I think that's required in order for us to be successful in acquiring this northern accord. I would encourage the Minister to continue the good cooperation he is undertaking. Mr. Chairman, although minerals is at the forefront of this department -- and I agree that it is very important. Mining, particularly, in my area is very important, with all this diamond play happening in our back yard -- I think it is equally important that the Minister also keep in mind energy development that is required in the territories, particularly hydro development.

I know the Minister is aware that my region is very involved in hydro development and I would like to ask the Minister that he give this development equal importance as the mining sector. I think it is going to benefit not only my region, but the territories as a whole. It is an investment that I think our people have to have and it is a good investment, in my view. So, I would encourage the Minister not only to use the other hat he wears with Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, but give this equal priority with mining and northern accord development.

I am going to be brief. Those are the things I wanted to mention to the Minister with regard to his portfolio of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Mahsi.