Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, today I speak to the question that was raised this week by my colleague from the Sahtu regarding the numbers associated with the decline of the caribou herds.

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to speak specifically about the results of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources survey, but I will address the issue around expecting restrictions that are to be imposed next year on these herds, and the need to involve the Tlicho.

Mr. Speaker, although the Tlicho chiefs think that the numbers in the survey are reasonable, they strongly disagree with the department putting any restriction or birth terms of reference that will impose on any action against the aboriginal harvesters. I am sure the sentiment is echoed among all the Dene, the Metis, the Inuvialuit, and subsistence harvesters in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, although it is understood that the caribou declines are due to natural population cycles, the department is saying that they will be meeting with the co-management boards for the Inuvialuit, Gwich'in and the Sahtu areas to discuss what implications there are for harvesters. However, the Tlicho has not been drawn into this process.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources has confirmed that his department is committed to working with the co-management boards, and traditional knowledge and resources, getting the numbers of these caribou herds, even though the process will calculate the caribou population is in decline, and using the satellite collars to get the information as correct as possible. The Tlicho leaders are insisting on the recount, and they want to be involved as part of this process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause