Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Wildlife Act. This bill is designed to do a number of things. First and foremost, the bill recognizes the Gwich'in and Sahtu Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements. Secondly, the amendment outlines that the land claim agreements will take precedence over the Wildlife Act if there is a discrepancy between the two. Finally, Mr. Chairman, the amendment will clarify that third parties who are not signatories to the land claim agreements are bound by the harvesting and management provisions in the agreements.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment has been developed in consultation with the Gwich'in Tribal Council, the Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board, the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board.

I also want to take this opportunity, Mr. Chairman, to advise Members that work has begun on the larger project of revising the entire Wildlife Act. Our focus throughout this project will be on the western NWT as Nunavut is developing its own wildlife legislation. Although the legislation will not be drafted before the year 2000, the department will be distributing a discussion paper shortly after division as the basis for community consultations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I would be glad to answer any questions Members may have.