The split shouldn't have a bearing on the level of service that the hunters and trappers are receiving. It will be the renewable resource officers, under the new department that will be delivering the programming. Save for the one program, which the Member referred to, in terms of compensation due to fire or other natural disasters for hunters and trappers. That program related to fire would come under ENR. The other programs that the Member was referring to come under ITI and would be administered by a renewable resource officer.
We are vastly improving this program and have had a lot of positive response from hunters and trappers over the past few years. We have put some resources and some effort into this area and we will continue to do so. We think it is a priority. I know the Member is aware that the support for traditional economy and the diversification for the economy was one of the main tenants of our strategic plan. We think it is of critical importance to support this industry.
I have had a number of discussions with the federal Environment Minister. We were successful in getting some additional funding this year, federal funding, put toward the Vegreville facility, which does humane trapping research and I indicated the importance of that in keeping the agreements that we have with the EU open. I think the premise that we have arrived at, is that the traditional economy is very much a part of the legitimate economy of the Northwest Territories. It shouldn't be pushed off to the side and characterized as something different, tucked away in a wildlife section. This really is about economic development. We want to make sure it gets the focus and support it deserves and that is in fact why it is housed in ITI. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.