Thank you, Minister Allen. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mot bienvenue aux visiteurs. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Colleagues, I would like to take this opportunity of recognizing in the gallery the Consul General of China, Mr. Gu and his wife, Mrs. Gu.

-- Applause

Mr. Liu is Consul and Mr. Tian is vice-consul. Their consulate offices are located in Calgary. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly and we certainly hope you enjoy the rest of your visit as we enjoyed your participation in this morning's events. Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize in the gallery members of the Northwest Territories Seniors' Society, Barbara Hood, Ida Luca and Ed Jeske.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride to recognize a pioneer prospector and a well known Métis in the Northwest Territories who has travelled this land by dog team, by foot, and in places where a lot of us have never been. He is now an author. I would like to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Arden. Welcome.

-- Applause

Welcome, Mr. Arden. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize my good friend, Darcy Arden, and his wife, June. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition if visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the only Member of this House of Asian descent, may I take this opportunity to welcome and recognize the delegates from China. I know it is a long way that they have come, and it is nice to see them. I hope that they enjoy their stay. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mot de bienvenue aux visiteurs. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Ces toutes. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier in regard to the statement I made. I think it is important that we have a balance between development and realizing that we do have a sensitive environment. Also, the importance of the people who depend on the environment for their traditional lifestyles, and to ensure that it is preserved and protected for future generations.

Aboriginal people and other Northerners take the environment very seriously. I would like to ask the Minister what he is doing to ensure that when he does make presentations on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories regarding the oil and gas and the pipeline endeavours of this government, would he also keep in mind that the environment is an essential source? Can the Minister ensure that he will keep that in mind when he makes his presentations?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we take the message as we hear it from the aboriginal groups primarily, and from the people of the Northwest Territories, and we convey that message as clearly and as forcefully as we can in our presentations.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a large segment of our population depends on the renewable resource sector. I think it is clear that all people will not have jobs in the oil and gas industry. One segment of our population, especially the middle-aged and the elderly people, depends on that sector. I would like to ask the Premier what he is doing to ensure that those people are being heard and that they will have a chance to have input into this process?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Premier. There were two questions, but you can answer either one.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I said earlier that the Government of the Northwest Territories has an economic strategy. We have a presentation with a message that we have conveyed to the federal government, to other provinces, to industry and to conferences and meetings we are invited to. The message I believe is supported by the aboriginal people of the Northwest Territories, by the business community and by this Legislature. We take what I would call a balanced approach, taking everyone's interests into consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are certain areas of the North that are off-balance, especially calving areas in the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Alaska. I would like to reference 10-02 lands in Alaska, where the Premier is aware of the concerns of the Gwich'in and people from the Mackenzie Delta who depend on this species. Will the Minister ensure that message is also being given out when he makes his presentations?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, we will take that into consideration. Certainly both the Government of the United States and Alaska and the Government of Canada take the position that the Arctic Wildlife Refuge and 10-02 lands in particular are completely out of bounds for oil and gas exploration. That is the current situation that exists. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think it is apparent for this government that we do pass legislation in this House and also strengthen the existing legislation we have, especially with regard to wildlife, the environment and also the air. I would like to ask the Premier, what is this government doing to ensure that these issues will be brought forth in the form of legislation?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, all the different aboriginal groups, First Nations and Members of this Legislature are invited to make suggestions to this government about legislation that they believe should be advanced through the Legislature here. As a government, we are always prepared to hear suggestions and proposals. Thank you.