Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister be able to provide me with the information of where Fort Smith fits into the time frame in this transition plan, so I can be prepared to respond to questions that may arise in my community about this significant event? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier just spoke very eloquently about an article in the Globe and Mail from yesterday. My question will be for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi about that story in the Globe and Mail. The headline on that was, snowmobile hunt claims hundreds of wolves. Could the Minister explain this a little further to us? I understand that some of these hunters are not from the Northwest Territories. Could he explain to us what some of the difficulties are in this whole area? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is always a concern when southern media starts to raise concerns about the way northern people manage their wildlife. The fact is, in the south, wildlife has all but become extinct. When they do show their pretty little heads, they are considered pests. In the north we have the only vibrant wildlife population left in Canada and I think we are managing it quite well without the criticism of southern people. The story which appeared in the Globe and Mail yesterday, is a result of some anomalies in the movement of Caribou. What has happened in the area which has been identified between Great Slave Lake and Baker Lake, two large caribou herds have converged in that area, the Beverly herd and the Bathurst herd, totalling more than 700,000 animals. With that comes two large wolf populations that follow each of those herds, as well as the resident wolf population from that area. You have a very high concentration of caribou and that brings, with it, a very healthy and high density of wolves. The hunters are from Saskatchewan, they are aboriginal, Dene hunters who have a right to harvest and hunt in the Northwest Territories. They have done so for 1000 of years. We do not condone and find totally unacceptable the running down and harassment of wildlife using skidoos. Hunting with the use of skidoos is allowed in the territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the concerns is the running down of wolf packs by skidoo. I understand we do not have any regulations in that regard where there are regulations elsewhere. Some years ago with the sports hunting of polar bear, it became illegal to use skidoos. Can we look at a similar type of situation, here in the territories, where perhaps outside non-resident individuals are restricted from using skidoos on a massive basis to kill wolves? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The normal mode of transportation of travel for aboriginal hunters and trappers, all northern hunters and trappers use snowmobiles in the winter. In the tundra and barren lands, it is the only means of transportation. At this time, we do not have any thoughts of disallowing people to use snowmobiles in pursuing, hunting and trapping as an occupation. We have no plans to outlaw the use of snowmobiles in the occupations of hunting and trapping. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Some of the hunters are from northern Saskatchewan and the Minister mentioned they do have a legal right to hunt within the territories. Has this been done because of land claim recognition or is it treaty rights? Could the Minister explain that for us please? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The most basic legally recognized aboriginal right since the late 60s, early 70s is the right to hunt and trap, the right to harvest wildlife. In the case of the people from the provinces who have traditionally hunted and trapped in the Northwest Territories, this government has always recognized and respected their right to continue to hunt and trap, in their traditional lands, regardless of whether they are residents of the Northwest Territories or not. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does that mean that our aboriginal hunters from the Northwest Territories also have the right to hunt within the northern parts of the provinces should caribou herds move into those particular areas?

Mr. Speaker, as I understand it, legally, aboriginal people, particularly treaty people, have the right to hunt anywhere in Canada on Crown lands. The practice is, if you have traditionally hunted and trapped in certain areas, then that has been supported and the practice continues.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is also directed to the Minister of Wildlife, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Speaker, just for clarification, I will ask the Minister a question about the legality of hunting polar bear with skidoos. I am aware, Mr. Speaker, and I know my constituents are aware of, it is against the law to use skidoos for sport hunting, but we are not aware that it is against the law to use skidoos for subsistence hunting of polar bear. Mr. Speaker, as a Member who spent a few years hunting polar bear and wolves, I know there is no such thing as running down any of those animals. You have to work for it. In the end, it might look like a short run but you are going to work before you reach the end. Therefore,

I will be directing my question to the Minister of Resources. Is it legal for aboriginals in my communities to subsistence hunt polar bears with skidoos?

Mr. Speaker, as long as the species that are being harvested are not endangered and there is agreement for allowable harvest by the appropriate wildlife boards. Aboriginal people do not have any limits on the wildlife they can harvest in order to sustain themselves. Skidoos and rifles are acceptable means used in the harvest for sustainable hunts. Thank you.