Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have my name as the seconder for this motion. However, I want this House to note that the support from the Deh Cho First Nations for this motion is conditional.

Mr. Speaker, as the Members will recall, when the aboriginal leaders met in Fort Liard last month, they were ready to talk about a Mackenzie Valley pipeline, to talk about business partnerships, to maximize ownership and benefits of the pipeline. I will remind Members they sent a clear message they wanted it to be built on their terms. It was noted by those leaders we are now at a point where several land claims have been settled and others are currently at different stages of negotiations. The invitation for business, industry and government to approach the leadership on their terms. For my own region, this involves the recognition that the leadership is still negotiating political development. The Deh Cho First Nations are still discussing their self-government arrangements, which is referred to as the Deh Cho proposal.

Mr. Speaker, this is why today I stand to make clear that Deh Cho has given conditional support for this motion. I will remind Members that the participation from the Deh Cho is dependent on how much progress is made to this process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause