Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I spoke about the issue of transferring positions from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development's Northern Affairs Program to the North. This has been an ongoing issue for the last three years, with an effort by this government and certainly I have spoken about it for the last three years, to try and pursue the transfer of those positions. It is our understanding that the Northern Affairs Program has 135 positions in Ottawa, but if we are reasonable about it, we can identify 60 to 70 positions that could potentially be transferred to the North that are dedicated strictly to northern programs. That may have to be divided between Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Now, the department has done studies on this, Mr. Speaker, and the studies did suggest that this should come about. There were two studies completed, and there was to be a third phase, but the department felt that there was no necessity for the third phase. I understood that the Minister of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development was going to make an announcement on this matter a number of weeks ago. My question is for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development to give us an update. First, let me ask if he has had any discussions recently with the federal Minister about this issue? Thank you.