As I noted earlier, we have established a Joint Cabinet/Accountability and Oversight Pipeline Planning Committee to ensure our preparations and planning are as inclusive as possible. This committee will provide guidance and advice as we move forward in planning for the pipeline and negotiating a comprehensive socioeconomic agreement with the proponents of the Mackenzie gas project.

Mr. Speaker, our goal of a diversified economy goes hand in hand with our goal of caring and protecting the environment. We have a keen commitment to environmental stewardship. We have taken a proactive approach to this stewardship by creating and implementing initiatives that will protect our natural environment; initiatives such as the protected areas strategy.

Working with our partners in the Protected Areas Strategy we have advanced interim protection for Sahyoue/Edacho, Grizzly Bear Mountain and Scented Grass Hills, in the Sahtu and for Edehzhie, Horn Plateau, in the Deh Cho. Our staff have also been working with communities on various information requests regarding protected areas.

We are also working on other important initiatives, such as the air quality code of practice for upstream oil and gas industry. This code is to be completed by the end of 2004. It will provide clear and consistent guidance in our requirements related to air emissions, emissions abatement and best practices.

Mr. Speaker, a great deal has been accomplished over the past 10 months. We're working hard to meet the commitment we made for an open, transparent government; a government that works in partnership with aboriginal governments, stakeholder groups and residents of this great territory. We have also made notable progress on the key elements of our strategic plan. We look forward to working with our partners to continue this progress and realize the full promise and potential of this great territory. Mahsi cho.

---Applause