Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am frequently approached by people who ask me how the key values of the land will be protected while we pursue industrial development. They emphasize that critical areas for wildlife and places of cultural importance are needed to give meaning to our lives and those of future generations.

Mr. Speaker, while developing economic opportunities in the Northwest Territories is an urgent concern, we must also maintain the ecological integrity of our land. To accomplish this, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government jointly committed to creating a Protected Areas Strategy.

The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED) had the lead on this project and jointly organized a workshop in April in Yellowknife. The workshop brought together representatives from the communities, environmental organizations, industry and claims-based regional bodies. Participants shared the results of their protected area initiatives and discussed ways of advancing the overall strategy.

The most important recommendation to emerge from the workshop was that an Advisory Committee be established to work with the two governments in developing the Protected Areas Strategy. I strongly support this recommendation and have written to regional political leaders asking for their support and for their nominees to the Advisory Committee.

This committee will play a key role in reviewing the draft strategy and making recommendations. It is my hope that the Advisory Committee will be in place by the end of May.

Mr. Speaker, much has already been achieved particularly at the regional level with respect to the establishment of protected areas in the Northwest Territories. Several areas have been set aside in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. The Gwich'in has also made good progress, identifying special areas important both for cultural values and for wildlife and other natural values.

What is required is a coordinated effort to guide and assist similar successes throughout the Northwest Territories. Work of this kind is well advanced in all other jurisdictions of Canada and is supported by various community, environmental, tourism and resource industry groups.

We can learn from all of this work, but we still need to ensure that our own efforts address the unique political, cultural and social circumstances of the north. I look forward to having the Advisory Committee assist us in this important task. Mahsi cho.

--Applause