Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to address the proposed combining of the Department of Renewable Resources with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. As a Member of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development, I was informed by the Minister and departmental officials that a report would be issued back to the standing committee outlining the purpose and implications of combining these departments.

Yesterday, the Minister responsible for Renewable Resources, ED&T, EM&PR, stated that a report would be forthcoming this Friday. Concern about this issue has been expressed to me by a number of constituents. I have also received a letter from the NWT Enviro Watch about this. While it may be true that practically every government department has something in common with every other department, it may be that perhaps the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has, in some instances, fundamentally different priorities than Renewable Resources. One promotes industry while the other protects the environment in which that industry operates.

Consequently, without prejudging the positiveness or the negative impact of such a move, I think we should carefully review the combining of these various departments and that Members of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development should have proper time to review the amalgamation proposal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.