Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Welcome back, everybody. Today I would like to report back to the Members on the Western Premiers' Conference attended by Premier Kakfwi in Dawson City from June 4th to 6th. Premiers from all three territories, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba attended the conference. They were joined for portions of their meetings by the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci; the Canadian ambassador to the U.S., Michael Kergin; as well as Governor Knowles from Alaska and Governor Geringer from Wyoming. The Premiers reviewed progress reports and discussed several issues, including climate change, trade, infrastructure, and health.
I am happy to report that the NWT made significant progress by forwarding its position in support of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. The Premier reiterated the position that I previously put forward at the Joint Meeting of Energy and Environment Ministers on May 21, 2002, that the Northwest Territories supports the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol while recognizing that all provinces and territories will have to work hard to do their part to reduce emissions over time. National consultations on the Kyoto Protocol led by the federal government are taking place all across Canada with engaged stakeholders and will be in Yellowknife on June 13th. Municipalities, industry, environmental organizations and government, including aboriginal and territorial governments, are expected to participate.
During their discussion of Canada-U.S. trade issues, Premiers talked about U.S. agricultural subsidies, the recent softwood lumber decision and energy. The Premier spoke out against the U.S. Senate energy bill because it would guarantee a floor price for Alaskan gas. Such a subsidy would work to strand Mackenzie Delta gas and would have a negative impact on all other Canadian gas producers.
The Premier made a convincing argument about the parallels between U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber, agricultural subsidies for American farmers and setting a subsidized floor price for natural gas. I am pleased to say that Premier Kakfwi got excellent media coverage, which is evidence that the Northwest Territories was successful in stating our interests and participating actively in the conference.
Working with our neighbours in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories called for economic development funding for the Territories. We managed to get agreement from all Premiers that the federal government should begin discussions with all three territories to determine how current and future federal programming can best meet the economic and diversification needs of northern people.
Premier Kakfwi, together with Premiers Okalik and Duncan, managed to gain the support of fellow Premiers to collectively urge the federal government to fulfill its fiduciary responsibility to provide health care to aboriginal people, regardless of whether they reside on or off reserve. They also noted that that health status of aboriginal people continues to lag behind that of non-aboriginal residents, which is unacceptable.
In summary, the Western Premiers' Conference was a success for the Northwest Territories and placed us in an excellent position to continue discussions on energy and climate change at the upcoming Annual Premiers' Conference in Halifax this summer. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause