Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the next few days, I will be talking about the state of the northern mining industry and the need for us to have DIAND accept its responsibility to maximize northern development. The northern gold mining industry is in a devastating tail spin. In the past, when major regional industries have struggled, the federal government has jumped in to help keep the local economy alive. I use, as an example, mining in southern Canada. I understand in the 1980's some $150 million was poured into companies like Inco and Noranda to help them modernize and remain viable. Another example is the Atlantic fishery. In the early 1990's, Ottawa contributed a half billion dollars to Newfoundland and the Atlantic region when fish stocks dwindled. The money was used as short-term aid for communities affected by the closures and to help workers to adjust to the new circumstances. Such regional aid is provided because of section 36 of the Canadian Constitution, which contains an amelioration clause whereby the Government of Canada is committed to furthering economic development to reduce disparity of opportunity. In a recent publication by the federal government, called Gathering Strength on page 35, Ottawa commits itself to build a stronger economic base for the north. Let us take the federal government up on the obligation under section 36 of the constitution and their commitment in Gathering Strength. For starters, they can provide exploration incentives to the northern mining industry, at least until the price of gold reaches a profitable level. It would be good if Minister Kakfwi and DIAND Minister Jane Stewart pursued this proposal. Without exploration, there will be no sustainability for existing mines, nor expansion or development of new sites. That will leave the northern economy without any suitable base from which to build. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause