Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the creation of a Protected Areas Strategy for the Northwest Territories (NWT) is one of the priorities of this government. Once the strategy is in place, it will provide a framework for the overall development and management of a system of protected areas in the NWT.

Much work has been done in developing information on protected areas issues for community groups and the general public. A quarterly newsletter keeps interested parties up-to-date on the development of the strategy. It also highlights the participation of various regions of the NWT and the roles different government departments can play.

Two other publications, which I will table later today, provide information on the various eco-zones of the north. This system of land classification is used across Canada and will help contribute to the framework for a system of protected areas. Entitled Naturally North, one publication focuses on the western Northwest Territories and the other on Nunavut. These booklets define the natural regions by describing the plants, animals and landscapes that make up each of the seven eco-zones in the Western Territory and the six eco-zones in Nunavut.

The Nunavut edition is available in Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun. These publications will be distributed throughout the NWT to encourage participation in this important initiative. Thank you.

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