Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize two grade 8 classes from the Mildred Hall School here in Yellowknife. They are students who will be in our trial run, Mr. Speaker, for the Territorial Youth Assembly to be held in April, and then the Territorial Assembly will be held in May. This is a new education program we are starting here at the Legislative Assembly. I want to welcome those students and teachers here today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me honour to recognize a hard worker of this Legislature, one of the researchers, Mr. Doug Pon, who I worked with in the Resource Management and Development Committee.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister in regard to the whole area of the land claims rights that this government, as a third party to those negotiations, have signed on to these land claim agreements. There are certain obligations that the Government of Canada has made, an obligation that this Government of the Northwest Territories has made, along with the aboriginal people, to uphold those land claim agreements. I would like to ask the Minister, has he considered looking at the implications of this court decision that presently is being dealt with and how it may jeopardize those inherent rights that flow from these land claims agreements under section 35?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the de Weerdt decision, he made reference that the Charter of Rights basically does not fall in line with the rights that flow from section 25 and section 35 of the Canadian Constitution. Section 35 is the section that the Land Claims Agreements flow through, but also it recognizes the distinct right of aboriginal people to establish certain regimes through their Land Claim Agreements. I would like to ask the Premier, in regard to Justice de Weerdt's decision, of considering the Charter of Rights over and above the constitutionally protected rights of aboriginal people under section 35...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier tell me if they have considered the implications of the de Weerdt decision in regard to the aboriginal land claim protection rights that flow from section 35 and the rights that all Canadians have under the Charter of Rights. Have you considered the implications of this decision on the aboriginal people that do have land claims under section 35?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Premier. Can the Premier give some thought to, in reviewing this, of considering a constitutional expert who does have a constitutional background in regard to considering implications of the de Weerdt decision and also the question of the Charter of Rights for aboriginal people under section 35? Will the Premier give me assurances that he will consider a constitutional expert in this field?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will try and answer Mr. Ootes's concern. Mr. Speaker, when I took over the portfolio of Public Works and Services, I was aware that the Office Space Plan for Yellowknife was a concern of Mr. Ootes, as well as the committee. We have looked into this matter, no decision has been made as to the specific building Mr. Ootes brings up. I have committed to the committee and I have written a letter, I believe it should be in the hands of the committee, as to setting up a meeting when we can do a specific briefing regarding the Office Space Plan for Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.