Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to assure the Member that the department is supportive of initiatives like this. The Member knows that we did fund $20,000 to the consortium of six bands who were looking at purchasing both Wolverine and Simpson Air and amalgamating and creating Nahendeh Air. There was $20,000 a couple of years ago to develop business planning. Our suggestion is that the next steps need to be an application, probably to us, for funding to further review this proposal and add some detail to it. We think there needs to be some refinement of detail; we've had that discussion with the consortium.
Our understanding is, as is the Member's, I believe, that Chief Norwegian is the lead on this. We think that there are other funding partners like INAC, Aboriginal Business Canada, and we've identified those. Our regional staff have been in discussions with Aboriginal Business Canada to see if they would be receptive to receiving the business plan and considering it. Of course, we can't forward that business plan; that has to come from Chief Norwegian. They've indicated they would be receptive, but it would require a transmittal from Chief Norwegian and they have informed us that they have not received that.
I think there are some other funding partners potentially waiting in the wings, and we're hopeful that that business plan will be forwarded. But I think this highlights the need for us to ensure there are good communications between ourselves, our regional office and the consortium of six bands and, principally, Chief Norwegian on this issue so that we can move it forward. Thank you.