Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We've had two meetings with the aboriginal groups that are directly affected by the development of a mineral accord and oil and gas accord. We've asked them to give us their input with respect to the language that they want incorporated into the accord. I believe we're supposed to receive that by the end of March. There's a further meeting planned in the next two weeks. They've formed a small executive group that's going to represent the interests of the aboriginal groups in terms of the language required in this new legislation. My optimistic side says that we're going to hopefully reach an arrangement that will be satisfactory to all of us, including the current public government, and move reasonably expeditiously to make an arrangement with the federal government for the transfer of this

important responsibility which will then enable us to set the rules as to how industry, whether it's minerals or oil and gas, behaves in this part of the country. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Koe, supplementary.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Have all the aboriginal groups been active participants in this process?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Are all the aboriginal groups active in this process? The majority of the aboriginal groups are active participants in the process. I believe the Treaty 8 and the Deh Cho view themselves as observer status at this time, but they are attending the meetings and we are in formal discussions with them. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. What does the Minister intend to do if not all the aboriginal groups are signatories to an agreement, if you come up with an agreement?

Mr. Todd.

My optimistic side says that we'll try to make an arrangement with the groups directly involved. Should we make an arrangement, then we'll be able to move forward in an orderly way with our discussions with the federal government. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. When does the Minister intend to proceed with negotiations with the federal government?

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the representatives who are involved in the process of trying to reach an appropriate compromise on the language that should be in the accord have agreed that they will try to reach an arrangement by the end of May. Should an arrangement be reached, we should then be able to proceed with discussions with the federal government on June 1st. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.