Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, parks and tourism provide very important economic opportunities in the Baffin and in Nunavut. For many Inuit, parks are also seen as an opportunity to preserve and protect the land while respecting traditional Inuit activities, including subsistence hunting.

New parks and planned parks were established in Nunavut, with the consent and support of adjacent communities and Inuit organizations. Indeed, I believe, having been involved in the land claims negotiations as part of the Government of the Northwest Territories, that the land claims settlement of the Inuit of Nunavut was predicated on existing park reserves and new parks being established in the settlement area.

Land selection by Inuit was based on reliance on Heritage Canada's commitment to support and maintain existing and future parks in Nunavut. Soon, in fact, the Nunavut impact and benefit review process will begin, with the aim of establishing the present park reserves as permanent national parks.

Mr. Speaker, recently, Heritage Canada officials provided information about a reorganization of Heritage Canada in the Northwest Territories. Many of my constituents were alarmed about this. They were concerned that the recently vacated position of Nunavut parks superintendent, at least temporarily, will not be restaffed. Of even more concern was the planned relocation of the Nunavut land claims implementation coordinator for Heritage Canada from Iqaluit, out of Nunavut, to Yellowknife. Nothing against Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, but it seems to my constituents -- and as well to Jose Kusugak, president of Nunavut Tunngavik -- that the person responsible for implementing parks provisions in the Nunavut land claim should live and work in Nunavut.

I request consent to briefly conclude my statement, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.