Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for RWED. Mr. Speaker, in 1991, a $12 million northern river basin study was launched. There has been the Mackenzie River Basin Water Master Agreement signed between the Government of the Northwest Territories, Alberta and Canada regarding northern rivers.

Mr. Speaker, a short while ago, some constituents in Fort Resolution were at a meeting in northern Alberta regarding the proposed glacier power limited Dunvegan Hydroelectric Dam Project. Mr. Speaker, we know there is going to be a decision by the Alberta Utilities Board regarding this project. We do have a trans-boundary water agreement with the Alberta Government and Canada. I would like to ask the Minister what this government's position is on that project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was a meeting held in Fairview, Alberta, on October 16th. It was a public hearing on the Alberta regulatory process. This is a regulatory process in Alberta, similar to our Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, an Alberta version of it. Specifically, they were there to talk about the proposed run of the river hydro dam for the Peace River. The main item of discussion at the meeting was about fish passage. This is an ongoing process that has been in place for at least two years. While there was no NWT representation at this meeting, we have been...the Mackenzie River Basin Board, which we are a part of, has been involved over the years at these previous meetings. As the Government of the Northwest Territories, we are not directly involved in this application at this point in time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was noted by my constituents that there was a lack of representation by the Government of the Northwest Territories at this meeting. However, Mr. Speaker, recognizing that the Slave River Basin constitutes 70 percent of the water that goes down the Mackenzie Valley, I would like to know, what are the potential effects of the proposed Dunvegan hydroelectric facility on our river systems and our water basins within the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the effects of this project on the Northwest Territories...there is going to be some effect. We are working with the Mackenzie River Basin Board out of...we have representation from Fort Smith on this board, and we are working with them to try to develop a trans-boundary agreement with Alberta.

Part of the Mackenzie River Basin Board arrangement is that we make these type of trans-boundary agreements with the other jurisdiction. We have one that we have signed with the Yukon to date. We still do not have one with Alberta. Once this mechanism is in place, we will be able to have an agreement with Alberta on how these sort of effects are going to have.

Right now, we are told that the effects are going to be minimal, but we do not know. This is a long process and we still need to have more input. It is a long process. It is the beginning of a long process. We want to get more involved in it. One way of doing it is by having the Mackenzie Valley Environment Impact Review Board to represent us. For example, at the request of us as a government, or through a local government, but this has not happened yet. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, water is important to the people of the Northwest Territories and to the people of the world. Mr. Speaker, I believe the government should be looking at it in the full context. What does it mean if you put it in combination with the effects from the Bennett Dam in British Columbia, and the Dunvegan Dam and the new project that they are talking about? What is the potential impact on our delta system within the South Slave region? I know the Minister said that the Mackenzie Valley Management board may be interested, but I know my constituents in Fort Resolution do not recognize that board. Is this government prepared to intervene, if necessary?

Mr. Speaker, this is an upstream effect. We know what happened to us in the Northwest Territories because of the Bennett Dam in B.C. There were allegations made that they have huge downstream effects right on the Slave River into the Great Slave down the Mackenzie as a result of this dam. However, we are better equipped today with that information that has happened in the past. We are looking forward for more information. We understand this is a run-of-the-river hydro dam which diverts the river and generates -- it is not blocking the whole river, so it is different than the Bennett Dam. So we need to know more about it.

As the Government of the Northwest Territories, we are not directly involved in this particular project. We have not been participating in the specific project reviews in Alberta. However, the opportunity is there for individual parties if they want to participate, and as well as the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board. They have not decided to participate because the preliminary information we got from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and from Indian and Northern Affairs it says there would not be significant effects on the GNWT. To date, there has not been any direct involvement by our government as to this process. If any community or any groups want to participate, then we will review it, favourably. I think, because it is going to effect all of us. Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister kind of pre-empted my final question, but I will ask it anyhow. Mr. Speaker, when the livelihoods of hunters, trappers and fishermen in the Slave River area and on the ecosystem of the Delta, I am afraid that the communities I represent would not feel very good about relying our dependence on another government, as the Alberta government that the Minister is relying on. I would like to ask, if the community wants to intervene, we do have only 90 days left, less than 90 days, will this government help the community with financial resources so the community could intervene so that this kind of information can be sought out, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have been working with the Mackenzie River Basin Board over the years at previous meetings and have provided input into that process. We are awaiting a report of the October 16th meeting from the Mackenzie River Basin Board.

As for continuing to participate in this regulatory process in Alberta, as a government, we are not directly involved in the application. Again, under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board could choose to make a submission on our behalf. For example, at our request as a government, or on the request of a local government, but this has not happened. The honourable Member is indicating that his communities and his region, the Akaitcho First Nation, do not recognize the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. The request for direct funding from us, like I said, we will look at it favourably. We may find a way to look at it. If that is a request of our citizens, then we should participate because this river flows into the North, and we need to know what kind of impact it is going to have on us all in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi.