Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, what will the department do if this does not bear

out to be true after they get the information later this year?

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, we have a minimum fur pricing program in place any way. It is voluntary to each trapper whether or not they participate in the program, so it does not matter how the trapper sells it, they will still get their minimum price. If this arrangement through the Montreal marketing firm is successful they will get 15 percent more. If they do not get it, then they are certainly assured of the minimum price no matter where they sell it.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, perhaps I was not clear enough in my question. Will the department go longer than one year with this new way of doing business even if their new marketer or whatever he is called cannot get more than 15 percent than the average auction house? Will they be trying it more than one year? I mean, one year does not seem to be a very good time period to see if it is successful. There are all kinds of varying factors which come into play.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, yes, as long as the trappers continue to send their fur to that firm then the program will continue. I have to emphasize that the department gave some money initially for the development of the project but we do not on an ongoing basis support it. The people are doing it as a business venture so, as long as trappers continue to send the fur there, the program will continue.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, could the deputy minister indicate what kind of acceptance to this program there is from the trappers are most of them taking advantage of this or could you give me an indication of that please?

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, in terms of the number of trappers, I believe about 70 to 75 percent have taken advantage of it.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, just a question directed to yourself. I would encourage you to release the Pages, I mean it is getting close to 7:00 p.m. and it is a school night and I am not sure if these young people have had an opportunity to have supper yet, so I would ask you to give consideration to releasing them from their duties. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, this particular page 11-21, how many pages does that cover?

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, so once we approve this page are we going to stop at 11-22 and be able to ask questions there?

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, how come we did not do that at the previous page?

So what does that mean? We will be stopping at each page, is that correct?

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I think Mr. Erasmus refers to the rationale for not calling the items on page 11-20. The reason being, you will note that the operations and maintenance, $32.537 million, that figure is also cited on page 11-9 and the activity descriptions on 11-19. On 11-19, a number of questions were posed regarding operations and maintenance. The capital of $1.737 million is going to be addressed on pages 11-26 and 27 which are upcoming, as the Chair has indicated. That is the rationale for not calling the items on page 11-20. There is still an opportunity for all Members to ask their questions on the detailed items within each departmental budget. That is why the Chair has been proceeding along these lines. It is the same process that has been followed as we consider all the other departmental budgets.