Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I questioned the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development on the MOU that was signed in the Beaufort-Delta with the Gwich'in. Mr. Speaker, the Minister proceeded to answer me on pages 304 and 305 of unedited Hansard. I must say in the Minister's response, it goes to show how well land claims have worked for aboriginal groups. Because of those land claims, they have been able to settle agreements or get agreements like impact benefit agreements, access to negotiated contracts. In my constituency alone, the visitor's centre, the hospital and now the Aurora College all negotiated contracts into the millions of dollars. The Dempster Highway work guaranteed $2.5 million a year of negotiated contracts because they are a claimant group that has some clout now. Mr. Speaker, I would say that if I were working for the aboriginal groups, I would do the same to get the best benefit for my group of people that I could get. But I am not, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am a Member of a public government. When I ran to represent the people of Inuvik in the 13th Assembly, I ran saying I would represent everybody equally. That's why I have difficulty, Mr. Speaker, on this agreement that was signed. It is not equal. In fact, I am aware of the Inuvialuit, although included in the MOU, have had no discussion about this. So although they are included in wording, there has been no discussion with them how that would implicate or impact on how they do work. Mr. Speaker, there are many more questions about what impact this will have. What will it have on aboriginal companies that have built up a working criteria and equipment and a payroll if they don't fit the needs or the plans of the development corporation of the aboriginal group? What happens to them? Are they squeezed out of it?
Mr. Speaker, there are many questions that need to be clarified. The comment that an MOU is non-binding, again, if I were a representative of an aboriginal group and I signed an agreement that said I would have access to 50 percent of the contract value in that region, I would push to get that. So we need to find out from this government what really happens now with all the contracts that have been out there and all the negotiated contracts that are in place right now. I will be asking the appropriate Minister questions later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause