Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to my colleagues. In coastal areas, extended open water seasons have allowed for more use of boats to access the harvesting grounds. Mr. Speaker, as a government we must continue to monitor the affects of global warming on both our citizens and our wildlife populations. We must ensure our aboriginal people continue to have the ability to harvest wildlife effectively and efficiently. The rewards will be realized through the evidence of a healthy northern population who will continue to enjoy the benefits of higher nutritional country foods regardless of climatic changes. Mr. Speaker, one of the major negative affects of global warming that is being experienced by wildlife harvesters in coastal communities is due to reduced sea ice coverage in the Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf area. In particular, the residents of the communities of Paulatuk and Holman have expressed an immediate need for larger closed-in boats for the purpose of navigating large bodies of open water, open sea to and from the prime harvesting grounds. Small, open boats, effective and efficient in the past in ice-covered waters, are now considered unsafe for extended hunting journeys. The options of using float-equipped aircraft to move people and supplies to outpost camps is not available in these communities as there are no planes based in these settlements. Therefore, marine transportation remains the only viable option during summer months.
Mr. Speaker, I know this government has assisted communities in the Baffin and Keewatin to obtain large vessels for harvesting purpose in past years. It would seem only fair that assistance be made available to coastal communities in the Nunakput area. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time today, I will be asking the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development questions pertaining to this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.