Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to Mr. Kakfwi in regards to the oral question of royalties that was raised by Mr. Ootes. In regards to the increases, present arrangements which are in place in Land Claim Agreements, we do through Claims Agreements, receive royalties from mining development and the royalties that are arrived at by the federal government. I would like to question the Minister basically before any decision is made will he inform the aboriginal organizations who will receive this benefit that those increases will be a benefit to them, that nothing be done without that consultation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The member is correct and speaks to the reason why I have said we want to take it cautious and measure the approach to developing a response. We do have responsibilities in the area of Claims for instance that need to be reviewed and carefully considered before responses are made by this government to federal initiatives. So, again I say that we will be taking a not so much cautious but rather a measured approach, a coordinated approach, to putting our facts and figures together across this government before any detailed response, comments, positions are advanced to the federal government in regard to these proposed changes in royalties. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A supplementary is, the Minister may be aware that the aboriginal organizations have been fully involved in the consultation with the federal government on these increases and do support them to date because it is a benefit to them, which is an advantage that they have in the Land Claim Settlements. I see a possibility that nothing be done until the federal government and the aboriginal groups have arrived at the final outcome on exactly what those figures are because they have been in discussions with them. The Minister should make it's best efforts to ensure that those decisions be not broken between the federal government and the aboriginal organizations.

Mr. Speaker. Just a say again - yes we will make our best efforts in the next week or so to put together a well thought out, properly prepared, researched response to the different elements of the proposed changes to royalty rates that was the initiative of the federal government. Yes, we will consider every possible concern, interest and issue that arises as a result of this initiative being advanced by the federal government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to that particular issue, as I understand it, there was a recent meeting of officials with the credit union and the offer of assistance by the department as was originally proposed with the time lines, is not, because of difficulties in securing additional funding which is a condition of our own, to be advanced. It is now expected that arctic cooperatives will shortly send us a letter that will indicate new time lines and an anticipated timing of implementation and dates when funding will be required. So, we are waiting for this new plan to be sent to us before we begin further discussions. Thank you.