Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to focus on an issue that has not received much attention from this government that will have a huge impact on the Tlicho and Akaitcho regions, as well as Yellowknife, the Northwest Territories and Canada. This issue is the proposed development of the Bathurst Inlet port and road project in Nunavut. Because this project runs through the Slave Geological Province, which is in both our territories, any activity there has significant implications. This area includes all of the mining developments to date between Yellowknife and the Arctic coast and has the greatest resource deposits in both of the territories.

If this Bathurst road proceeds, it will likely become the main supply route for the mines and communities in the area. This will disrupt the existing resupply business from the Northwest Territories and the southern provinces. This area is also home to a variety of muskoxen, moose, bears and the Bathurst caribou herd. This herd has its calving ground north of the proposed routes. I am concerned about the impact this road will have on the caribou. My people rely extensively on the caribou as food.

Mr. Speaker, within the next month the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs is expected to decide which type of environmental review the proposed supply road will undergo. The two options are to do either a part 5 or a part 6 environment review. A part 5 review involves only the Nunavut Environmental Review Board; the part 6 review includes input from all affected parties and participation is funded.

Mr. Speaker, this project involves transboundary issues. It has the potential to shift the transportation and economic focus from the Northwest Territories and could severely affect our caribou herd. I think it is really important that we ensure that a part 6 federal environmental review of this project is undertaken and that a spokesperson from the Northwest Territories is appointed to represent the Western Arctic interests. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause