Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That was going to be my next area of questioning. Why are we not encouraging more cutting and processing of the timber in the Territories? When we were in Fort Smith last summer, we had several presentations made to the Resources Committee by independent sawmill operators who were having difficulty getting timber rights. It would seem to me we are shipping timber out of the Deh Cho to the south with very little benefit to the communities. Although $1.8 million is very substantial, we could increase that if we were to commit the independent operators to work in concert with the band councils and the communities of those areas. They have the mills. They are not large mills, but they do have the mills. With the government's support, then it could possibly set up larger mills or portable mills to work in these areas. I am wondering if the Minister could comment about what steps are being taken to touch base with all the private operators and see if they can work with the community organizations on this matter?
Jake Ootes on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 27th, 1997. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 26th, 1997
Page 937
See context to find out what was said next.