Mr. Speaker, I have another return asked by Ms. Mike on June 7th with respect to the origin of sealskin products.
On June 7th, the honourable Member for Baffin Central asked me, through the Premier, if we were trying to enhance the economies of Newfoundland and Ontario by developing prototype sealskin products or enhance the economy of the Northwest Territories.
Economic Development and Tourism is participating with Renewable Resources and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans in a study to explore possible uses of seal products in the Baffin region. During the course of this study, the consultants concluded that there was a possibility of marketing some sealskin products, particularly when the fur has been dyed.
Some northern skins were processed through a southern tannery which had the ability to dye the fur. Some skins were returned to Minnguq where, with the assistance of the consultants, new designs were fashioned into prototypes. Other prototypes were put together in southern Canada. The prototype products were then test marketed with very positive results in both the NWT and southern Canada. The prototypes, put into production, will expand the variety of products manufactured in the Northwest Territories with respect to sealskins. Thank you.