Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the situation regarding the environment, the area I am discussing right now is, of course, very important because many of our people are still subsistence hunters because of the price of foods, especially in the eastern and western northern parts of our territory. Greenland proposed in an arctic convention for the protection of the environment and conservation of flora and fauna. I understand some Members of this House will be travelling to Greenland next month. I am wondering if the Minister would be going to Greenland and if he does go, will he be discussing the Greenland proposal on the arctic convention for the protection of the environment? If he is not going, will that message be carried by this government? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Question number five, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, one of the concerns that was raised when the amalgamation that was proposed to take place and now has taken place between Renewable Resources and Economic Development was the differential between both the economic side of government to foster a resource development and, on the other hand, to protect the environment. I am wondering how the Minister bounds both those roles and has he had some concerns brought forth from the public on that area, or maybe he could just basically update us on how he has dealt with that type of conflict on the one hand environment and on the other hand economic development? Thank you.

Thank you. The honourable Minister, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Question number six, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the deregulation to support business is important because we need economic growth, but we also need to check and balance that the Department of the Environment and the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development gives us. I hope that the Minister continues to maintain a vigilant outlook on that to make sure that both do not cross. My followup question would be, this past May, five Canadian aboriginal peoples organizations, the Dene Nation, the Council for Yukon First Nations, the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories, the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, and the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, formed a committee to address the issue of persistent organic pollutants. I am wondering if the Minister has met with that group?

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you. Questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I asked, did the Minister meet with that group that had been formed from the five Canadian aboriginal peoples organizations concerning the persistent organic pollutions programs, or POPPs as the acronym is explained. I am wondering if the Minister, although you have not met with them, is he aware of their formations? Has he asked for any consultation within our department with, for example, the BHP project, the Boston project in the Kitikmeot region, the gold exploration in the Meliadine Lake area. There is a massive amount of work going on throughout the territories. Stakeholders like this group could be very influential and helpful in providing some logistic information on these types of ventures and approaches. I am wondering if the Minister is aware of this group although I know now he has not spoken to them? Has his department been in contact with them about their major concerns, the persistent organic pollutants?

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Final question, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I did not want to get into technical questions, but seeing that the Department of Renewable Resources and Economic Development and also the Minister's portfolio is the environment and those areas were not addressed to-date in any great detail by the other Members, I wanted to bring up some questions on the environment and would like to thank the Minister for his time, and I will give someone else an opportunity to ask some more questions. Thank you.

Thank you. Looking at the Members with questions, I see about 14 blanks. That means 14 Members should have the opportunity to ask questions. But other boxes are full. That means Members asked all eight questions. It seems unfair, to a degree. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Mr. Chairman, I would like everybody to listen. For people that do not speak Inuktitut, please put your ear piece on. Mr. Chairman, if I make a mistake, please let me know. There are only half of the Members from the Cabinet here. We went through our fourth Minister now, and there are four more to go and this winter we will have the opportunity to ask the Ministers under oral questions. I would like to make a motion that the questioning of the Ministers should be shortened because we have to ask eight questions. I would like to make a motion because we have been asking the Ministers under review for two days

now. I would like to make a motion that we change the questioning period from eight questions to four questions. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. How many did you want them to be reduced to? From eight to four? (Translation ends) At this point I recognize the motion and therefore I would like the Members to perhaps debate. What do Members feel on the motion? To the motion. Mr. Ootes.

I wish that motion was written. I am informed that Mr. Evaloarjuk's motion will be drafted and Mr. Ootes' amendment will also be written. So we will take a few minute break until the motions are ready. Thank you.

-- Break

I would like to call the committee back to order. (Translation) Mr. Mark Evaloarjuk made a motion. Can you read your motion, please? Mr. Evaloarjuk. (Translation ends)