Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Delorey on November 1, 2000, regarding emergency response on the territorial highway system.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have the primary responsibility to respond to an emergency on the territorial public highway system. The federal RCMP Act defines the mandate of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to deliver police services in Canada. By agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories, the RCMP deliver policing services in the Territory. Policing services in the event of a highway emergency is one of the responsibilities included in the territorial police services contract.

Depending on the exact nature of the emergency, assistance from a number of federal, territorial or municipal agencies may be required. The police service, as the primary agency, will call on auxiliary emergency services as necessary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.