Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about global warming. We hear about it all of the time on the radio. We see it talked about on television and we read about it in the newspaper. Anyone who spends time outside can tell that changes are occurring. In the last few months, a bear was seen out and about near Colville Lake, instead of hibernating.

Robins and salmon are being spotted in northern communities where they have never been seen before. The melting of permafrost is occurring, and of course, our ice roads are increasingly unreliable.

Climate change is a call for us as a government to take the lead role in establishing ways to reduce our impact on the environment. One of the best ways we can do this is to begin addressing this in our planning and in the way we operate our departments.

In the budget address last week, the Minister recognized the high fuel costs that all Northerners are facing and is providing a one-time fuel rebate to eligible households. I am sure that this will be greatly appreciated. However, if we lower our dependence on non-renewable fuel sources we will, in the long term, lower our costs and also contribute to a cleaner environment.

As well, I know that a study on hydropower is planned for 2001-2002. I urge Cabinet to ensure that the hydropower in the Dogrib region and the South Slave is examined and used to benefit the remote communities and the mines. By acting on these two initiatives, the government can do a lot to demonstrate leadership and reduce the impact that we are having on the environment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause