The Minister of the Personnel Secretariat, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll take that question as notice.

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

Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not clear on all of the specifics, so I will take the question as notice.

The question is being taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Resources. Earlier today, I mentioned in my Member's statement concerns about the situation of the Dahl Sheep in the mountains. There are no quotas on them and there is a concern that these animals may be overhunted. I would like to ask the Minister if his department is doing anything to survey and count how many sheep there are, so we can impose a quota on these sheep. Thank you.

The Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that the Department of Renewable Resources has hired a consultant who was to be working on the various guidelines set out for the outfitters in the different zones in the western Arctic, but I don't know specifically whether there is work being done at the present time on Dall Sheep in the Mackenzie Mountains. However, with respect to caribou and animals that are hunted by big game hunters using outfitters, there is a study being done.

I also understand that there was a meeting recently in the town of Fort Simpson with regard to the sheep, but I do not have the results of that meeting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I need to find out from the Minister, were the consultants hired specifically to survey the Dall Sheep? Thank you.

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, it was not specifically to do with Dall Sheep. It was regarding caribou, I believe. I don't know whether that was extended to Dall Sheep. However, as a Renewable Resources department, one that believes in conservation and sustainable development, I think it is warranted that something should be done. There should be discussions with the outfitters; not just with the outfitters, but with the people in the area around Fort Simpson. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister mentioned that there were consultants hired to do a survey with caribou. Will the survey be conducted to count the caribou in the mountains west of my constituency?

Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the research being done was with regard to the way in which outfitters are operating in the various zones, and not necessarily to count caribou, but to come up with a report on the situation of each of the zones with respect to caribou outfitting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The consultants are there to work with the communities and to count the caribou and work with the outfitters. Is this going to result eventually with setting a quota on caribou, Dall Sheep and moose in the big game hunting zones in the Mackenzie Mountains? Thank you.

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe the study is being done on how to better manage the quotas that are allotted for big game hunters. The study should be completed and the report should be forthcoming. At this point, I am not sure where it is at. I believe it is at the stage where the researcher will be providing a report to the department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.