Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to discuss an issue which is of great concern to the people of my constituency. The proposed Act Respecting Firearms and Other Weapons, Bill C-68, quite clearly does not respect the agreements signed in May of 1993 between the Inuit of Nunavut and the federal government. This agreement states that the Inuit have the right to harvest wildlife without any form of licence or permit and without imposition of any form of tax or fee. Bill C-68 does exactly the opposite. It imposes a monetary burden on Inuit people who rely on harvesting wildlife

to support their families. This is part of our culture and our traditional way of life.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, the consultation process, as we heard yesterday from Mr. Patterson, was completely inadequate. Communities in the north have not been consulted adequately, and Inuit are left without any information on how this bill will affect their lives. The federal government has not taken the appropriate measures to ensure that concerns at the community level have been addressed.

Once again, we see the federal government acting in a manner that does not reflect the current realities of our people or our values and beliefs. This gun control legislation should not and must not be imposed on the Inuit of Nunavut. I would encourage the federal government not to proceed with this bill until the matter is settled. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.