Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In May, 1996, I tabled in this House the Interim Implementation Measures for Article 24 of the Nunavut Final Agreement. I am pleased to announce today that the final measures are now in place. The final measures were developed from the interim procedures and include both negotiated contracts and use of Inuit labour, firms and professional services. Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated was actively involved in the development of the document, and they have formally agreed to the government's adoption of these procedures.

Mr. Speaker, I believe these procedures respond to the government's commitment to provide reasonable support and assistance to Inuit firms to enable them to compete for government contracts. It is important to remember that even though these are called final measures, we will work closely with NTI to monitor them to make sure that they are working out. I am satisfied that the measures will maximize the use of Inuit labour and the involvement of Inuit firms in government contracts in Nunavut. Our joint monitoring efforts will help us decide whether the changes are necessary. We will continue to discuss this with NTI to try to find a solution.

Mr. Speaker, as I have stated on many occasions, creating opportunities for Inuit firms is very important. It is even more important to get Inuit involved at every level of economic activity. I believe that we have taken one more important step down that path. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.