Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Erasmus on April 28, 1999, regarding Thelon Game Sanctuary Management Plan.

The final draft of the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan has not yet been provided to the Government of the Northwest Territories. We anticipate receiving the final draft from the Government of Nunavut within the next six months.

It is my understanding, based on earlier drafts, that the plan will contain recommendations with regard to managing visitor activity in the sanctuary to ensure that visitor use is consistent with the conservation and wilderness values of the sanctuary. The plan will also recommend that Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary Management Authority be established as a vehicle to implement the management plan. If these recommendations are accepted by government, the management authority would advise government on issues such as permitting and access regulations needed to manage visitor activity. This could include such things as establishing controls or restrictions on aircraft traffic. There will be an opportunity for further public input prior to any specific regulations being put in place, both through the Management Authority and directly to the responsible government agency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.