Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are discussions under way based upon some of the statements I made in the House earlier in the year with respect to the limited dollars we have --which I think we've all recognized, but I have
to say that again -- and that there is a need to take a consolidated approach to tourism development if we're going to maintain the marketing strategies and the focus on tourism development.
What I've said to both groups, east and west, is we will determine an appropriate level of funding split which is currently under discussion. When that appropriate level of funding split is agreed to, we will transfer that money over to the Western Arctic Tourism Association and the Nunavut Tourism Association and they, the industry itself, will have to determine what they're going to within the fiscal limitations that they have. I really don't think it's up to me to determine whether we're going to fund one association versus the other. What we're going to do is say this is the money that's available based upon whatever we agree to, and we're going to let each organization determine what would be an appropriate form of representation.
I will say, for the record, that there is a significant cut in this area. I've indicated that earlier. I think that there has to be a creative approach as to how we're going to continue with our tourism activity. I can't guarantee at this time whether one association will stay in place versus another one. What I will say is that the dollars will be identified, they will be assigned east and west, and we'll leave it up to the industry itself, in consultation with us, to try to reach consensus as to the best way in which to organize themselves so we can continue with our tourism efforts. Thank you.