Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have heard about the Protected Area Strategy over the past few months, and the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development spoke as recently as today in the House about it. He also talked about the upcoming conference to be held in Inuvik next March. Mr. Speaker, I cannot help but remain concerned on what impact the strategy will have in many areas. Specifically, the negative impact of this process on the money markets which are the greatest source of mineral exploration and development funds. Now, more than ever, we need a welcoming, investment environment which encourages job production and the development of these resources. We would be sadly mistaken if we relied on tourism only as a means of producing growth in our economy. We must look to the mining industry as a significant producer of jobs in our economy.

Mr. Speaker, common sense also forces me to wonder what impact this Protected Areas Strategy will have on land claim agreements. Will the beneficiaries of settled land claim areas have a say in designating protected areas in their claim area? What about other areas that have been staked, drilled, and investment dollars spent on? The Protected Areas Strategy makes reference to identifying protected sites, which will effect future generation and interested resource opportunities that may come our way. Later today, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Honourable Mr. Kakfwi questions on the strategy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.