Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On August 8, 1996, the Premier and the federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development announced a joint commitment to develop a Protected Areas Strategy for the NWT by the end of 1998.
The people of the north have expressed a need for a balance between conservation and development. Finding this balance is perhaps the most critical task facing the new Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. We need a strong economy to support and provide opportunities for all our people. However, we also need to identify and protect a range of representative and unique natural areas. Protecting these areas is important to maintaining biodiversity, and the rich natural and cultural values which contribute to our quality of life.
This government has accepted the challenge of leading the process of developing a Protected Areas Strategy. We will work cooperatively with the federal government, aboriginal organizations, land claimant boards, environmental representatives, the mineral, oil and gas sector as well as commercial fishing, tourism and forestry interests. Communities and the public will also have an important role to play.
Mr. Speaker, in an effort to begin to develop these partnerships, I have invited groups to a conference in Inuvik during the first week of March. The purpose of this conference is to establish a cooperative approach to developing a strategy. At this stage we need to hear from many different voices and we need to provide a forum for these voices to hear each other and to find common understanding. For the strategy to be successful in defining natural areas which northerners most value, people must work together.
The NWT is in a strong position. We have an advantage over every other jurisdiction in Canada, as most of the Northwest Territories remain undeveloped. We have the unique opportunity of combining scientific and traditional knowledge.
Mr. Speaker, the development of a Protected Areas Strategy will be a lasting contribution from this government to the people of the north and Canada. I look forward to a successful and productive conference in Inuvik. Mahsi.