Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Roy Erasmus on May 16, 1996, in response to his request for intervenor funding.
Mr. Erasmus asked me about an application for aboriginal rights court challenges funding on behalf of the Yellowknife Dene First Nation and the Treaty 8 Tribal Council.
I acknowledge that letters were received in connection with this application, dated April 19, 1995, December 21, 1995 and May 8, 1996. No written response has been sent by the Department of Justice, but there has been contact by telephone. The chairperson of the Aboriginal Rights Court Challenges Committee called after both the April and December 21 letters and explained the nature of the additional information that would be required before the application could be considered. That additional information has not been provided.
Although this request for additional information has been conveyed by telephone, I have asked the Department of Justice to ensure that a letter is sent confirming the additional information that is needed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.