Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have been talking about the hydro potential within the system for several months now since they did the hydro generation study. We have recently had discussions with the people in the South Slave, particularly with the South Slave Metis, with the Salt River First Nations and some of the Akaitcho chiefs. I also attended and gave a presentation at the Dene chiefs meeting at which the Gwich'in were well represented, along with everybody else, a couple of weeks ago in Fort Providence.

I have also sent a letter out to all of the leaders indicating that I am ready and prepared to meet with aboriginal leaders to discuss the concept of hydro power, the pros and cons of doing it. I have an invitation, as I speak, to go to a number of assemblies, including the Dene Assembly, the South Slave Metis again, the Fort Smith Metis and so on. I expect to discuss this concept over the summer.

I want to point out, Mr. Speaker, that this is not at a proposal stage. This is simply a concept we are looking at. It has tremendous potential. It has tremendous environmental advantages for us. I think it has many positive sides in terms of the bigger picture of protecting our environment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.