Mr. Speaker, I would like to raise a point of privilege under rule 20(1).
Mr. Speaker, earlier this morning on CBC news radio, a news item was reported regarding my comments on yesterday's date, regarding methods used by wildlife biologists when tranquillizing polar bears. The news item indicated I had said biologists are "darting bears carelessly and needlessly." Mr. Speaker, I have reviewed the unedited Hansard containing my comments and I would like to confirm I said nothing to this effect. In fact, I did not even imply such comments. I would like to state for the record that I do have concerns regarding methods used by scientific researchers when conducting polar bear research. However, I do not feel that such methods are careless or needless. I clearly see the need for such research.
In fact, Mr. Speaker, at the start of my statement yesterday, I stated I would be responding to a request from the Honourable Minister Kakfwi for information regarding problems people are experiencing in relation to the tagging of polar bears.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause