Mr. Speaker, I have had some meetings with different representatives over the last few months regarding the mandate and the approach I am taking as a Minister carrying out my responsibilities as head of this newly formed department. I think that it has gone to alleviate some of the fears that industry has had. Hopefully, they realize that the work that we want to do to ensure that the land, the wildlife, and the natural resources of the north should be protected and used wisely for the benefit of the people, is something we take very seriously. At the same time, we want to provide opportunities for industry to continue to develop and grow as long it respects the integrity of the land, the wildlife, and the resources, and benefits our people here in the north. I think that the message has been getting through.
I have not heard anybody complain publicly or otherwise. It must suggest that they are comfortable with the message that we have been sending to them. Certainly, I have been available to meet with every company that has requested a meeting with myself and my officials. I am prepared to continue to meet with them as the need arises. I think they are realizing that we are open for business. If they have concerns, it is a waste of time to address them on CBC or the News of the North, that they can simply come and address to myself or to the Premier. That protective strategy that was announced by the federal Minister earlier this year, is one that the industry should take a proactive approach to addressing, since any development in the future will have to address that it will be done on a piece meal basis. We have an opportunity, in a very practical way, to get together with all stake holders, the aboriginal groups, the wildlife boards, the users of the land and wildlife, and the environmental groups to carve out a strategy to detail the elements that should be taken into consideration in developing a protected area strategy, that we have been asked by the federal government to take the led in developing. Thank you.