Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government has made every effort to comply with the concerns that we have received from the aboriginal groups in the area. In the middle of February, the Premier wrote to The Right Honourable Jean Chretien regarding a number of issues and one of those issues was regarding the calving grounds which the Member is concerned with. She pointed out the concerns that this government has with regard to Porcupine Caribou calving grounds.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Koana, Mr. Speaker. There has been lots of lobbying going on and there continues to be lobbying efforts going on with the United States Legislatures. These lobbying efforts have been met and supported by the Porcupine Caribou Management Board and by the Gwich'in. The Government of Yukon has also provided some financial assistance to support some lobbyists. I would like to ask the Minister what this government is doing to support some of the lobbying efforts that are going on currently in the United States.

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The most recent activities that have been taken by this government have been through the Premier to the Prime Minister. With the information we are receiving from the Prime Minister's office, we have heard that the President of the United States is looking at this and is very concerned. I also understand that the State of Alaska is the jurisdiction which has been pressuring to open up the area in Alaska. However, the correspondence we have received has been that the President is in support of not opening up this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

As was mentioned earlier, the Porcupine Caribou herd crosses many borders; Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories. Many people in these areas are dependent on the herd. So there is need for a lot of cooperation and consultation. I would like to ask the Minister, has the Minister or his officials been consulting recently with the Government of the Yukon or the Gwich'in on this particular issue?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we have a discussion paper prepared by the Department of Renewable Resources on options and recommendations for protecting the caribou calving grounds. I believe that consultation will take place with the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in and the Nunavut renewable resource management boards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

I am pleased that work is ongoing and that an options paper is being developed. Can the Minister share some of those ideas with us now in terms of some of the initiatives that this government will be taking to ensure that the US Congress and the US Senate knows the position of our northern people?

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be more than willing to provide the Member with any information that is being prepared. I would be willing to receive input from any Member who has concerns in this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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