Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the Member for the question. It is always good to get clear again what the vision and mandate of the department is.
I cannot read it word for word, but it is usually available somewhere. I think that it is good to have a department that is responsible for ensuring that the wildlife, the environment and the land is utilized and kept for our future generations as well.
That the wildlife is well-managed, that the land and the water and wildlife itself are not disrupted and negatively impacted to a point where it can be available for future generations or for the present, for that matter.
Economic development activities and initiatives should be pursued actively to ensure benefits to the North, aboriginal peoples, to communities and to this government, in a way that balances a need for economic benefits as well as protecting the wildlife and the environment.
In general terms, that is the vision and the mandate that we have. We know that to have anybody, whether it is a company or a department espouse a singular purpose, such as to pursue mines and mining activities, is no longer acceptable. What we look for are companies like BHP and Diavik, who actively pursue diamond or mining activity, but at the same time make very strong statements and commitments to protecting the wildlife and environment.
The government is the same. We bring our wildlife and environmental interests and concerns together in the same shop with our interest of promoting oil and gas development, mining, and economic development. It is the in-house type of approach we take. We think that works best towards taking a balanced approach.
Our highest priority is to make sure that wildlife and the environment are protected. If we can do that and at the same time promote economic activity, then we are prepared to do it.
I think the idea of putting everyone in one shop and forcing them to work out a balanced approach that takes every interest and concern under consideration before initiating work was the right decision to make. Thank you.