Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The problem is not only with sheep, Mr. Speaker, but has to do with moose, caribou and the different animals in the mountains. We don't know how many there are and there is really no good way of surveying them. There are occasional fly-over surveys, but that is not good enough, Mr. Speaker.
Historically, Mr. Speaker, big game hunting zones were practically given away in the 1970s by the Commissioner of the day. There were five zones and now there are more; there are eight, I believe. Now, we're stuck with the outfitters who control these hunting zones and mountains. They are the only ones allowed to take non-resident hunters into the mountains and the aboriginal people are cut out of the deal. These outfitters all live in the south, Mr. Speaker, and though they are available for sale for enormous amounts of money if they become available, the amounts are impossible for the aboriginal people from the communities to have access to.
Mr. Speaker, recently there was a meeting in Fort Simpson where aboriginal people and leaders met with the outfitters from the mountains. As a result of this meeting, some decisions were made that there would be closer cooperation between the outfitters and aboriginal leaders. Hopefully, this will improve the situation and help the concerns of people in my constituency. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause