Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to use two seconds of my time to say you are looking rather nice today, with the fancy decoration around your neck.

--- Applause

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring Members of this House up to date on the applications made recently to the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans for the right to catch groundfish in all waters next to Baffin Island. Applications for licences to catch these fish, which are in our waters, were made by all Baffin communities, through the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Federation and, as well, the communities of Pangnirtung, Broughton Island and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation.

The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans gave a total of 1,500 tonnes to Baffin Island applicants and gave the largest amount of the fish quota to the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board to distribute as they felt would be fair to the Baffin communities. I am pleased to report that the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board met recently and they agreed on a fair way of dividing up the quota throughout the region. I understand the board is willing to look at ways of developing opportunities for certain interested communities, where it is appropriate, to become more involved in the fishery now that we have been allocated about 1,500 tonnes throughout the Baffin region.

I believe it will be possible and desirable that plans be developed so that the most possible benefits can flow to our communities. For example, I am very pleased that my own community of Broughton Island is being assisted to consider no less than six possible opportunities which could result in employment and other spin-off benefits from the fisheries in that community. One of the most interesting ideas they have come up with is to use the excellent harbour in Broughton Island to establish a public cold storage facility. Using surplus buildings from a nearby DEW Line site, this storage space would be very handy for vessels fishing in the area.

Mr. Speaker, I am seeking unanimous consent to continue with my statement.