Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I will speak in my first language. So, there is a requirement for an earpiece, Members. Qujannamiik. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This item we call the Budget Address is a delightful document because it is helpful to the communities within Nunatsiaq, within the NWT, particularly to smaller business owners, as well as to the larger corporations and as far as providing employment, as far as education goes and for people dependent on social programs for families of lower incomes. Also, in the 1998-99 fiscal year, it seems that we will not have a deficit. We appear to have a balanced budget. As well, in preparation, Mr. Chairman, for division of the territories, it is quite predictable that this will become a reality and we will have our own separate governments. Our current government is preparing for division in the coming years and to be well prepared budget-wise. I see this action as being very wise because it will be beneficial for many people that need assistance. Also at this time there does not appear to be, Mr. Chairman, in the budget and in the north, the vital capabilities. Sometimes in the private sector, Mr. Chairman, certainly jobs are created by the smaller businesses, by private corporations and of course we are in support of the smaller businesses because they create employment.

The mining industry is also another endeavour that we support because, of course, they provide employment. However, in this document I do not see, Mr. Chairman, very much relating to the sale of furs, skins and pelts. I have not seen any mention of the economic potential regarding trapping and private arts and crafts. There has been no mention directly in the budget as far as arts and crafts and fur sales go. This also applies to the fishing industry within the communities. Both over here and within our own communities in the east, there are many people including Inuit and Qablunaat who try to maintain a living by selling fish commercially. As we are most aware, we the government, want to see especially the federal Cabinet support the individual who is providing for himself, who is independent and less reliant on social programs, who is able and willing to try to provide his own income by trapping, selling furs, carvings and by selling fish commercially. This is also another means of providing independence. I do not see very much of this in the budget. Be it hunting, trapping, through fishing commercially, a person can be independent and therefore this results in a happier, more content person or persons.

When Inuit people become of a mature age, too often they end up having to rely on social programs and this causes a low morale. If there are ways we can alleviate these problems by including the sale of furs, the sale of fish, by carvings, many of these people with these types of work are people that have elected us as their MLAs. Whether they are independent fisherman, commercially or hunters and trappers, these are members of the public that have voted us in. I think too often we forget about them. There are many people such as hunters and trappers here in the Northwest Territories and people in the carving industry, as well as fishermen who sell fish commercially. We have to remember these people and the Minister, Mr. Todd, in his own riding of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, there are many people who do this type of work as there are in my community, people who are willing to try and remain independent by means of hunting and trapping. Although the furs sales and the prices of pelts have decreased drastically, the same goes with carving sales.

Many people have to travel and remain out on the land for many days to fish commercially. They enjoy this kind of employment, even if they are not educated. They enjoy fishing, trapping and carving. They know how to do these skills well. They are already knowledgeable in doing this type of work. This is what they want to do. So my question to the Minister is this, in what ways within the 1998-1999 fiscal year, can we as a government, provide some sort of assistance? We should give recognition to these independent people. While not very educated, they are able to provide for themselves by means of hunting, trapping and fishing. They are able to provide for themselves independently. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (Translation ends)