Mr. Speaker, capacity building was also a focus of the Intergovernmental Forum. Aboriginal governments have made it clear that capacity is an issue if they are to be effective partners in the process and to cope with increasing responsibility and demands which are affecting aboriginal, territorial and municipal governments. Capacity also includes the ability of individual residents to participate in economic development opportunities.

The task force report on aboriginal communities and non-renewable resource development, launched yesterday in Yellowknife by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, brings national recognition to our capacity-building requirements.

This government is prepared to do its part to assist with capacity building for aboriginal governments and organizations, the non-governmental sector, municipalities, the NWT workforce and within our own public service.