Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They will be bringing their own interests to the table as we consult them. RWED has a broader interest for people of the Northwest Territories. When we sit at this table and sit on this board, we are there to ensure that the interests of all residents are understood, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

So, Mr. Speaker, then if I hear this correctly, if RWED has the designation to take the interests of the outfitters to this table, has then RWED ever formally asked and gotten the outfitters' full story from them? Has anybody approached these people at all to get their side of the story? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know if we should be looking at this from the perspective of their side of the story. I think much of what's in this report, much of the work that these groups have done, would be verified. I think we all have the same interests. I know the outfitters have the same interest and that's in maintaining the viability of this herd and adequate management of this herd. Again, in the coming months this spring, we will sit down and go through the plan with stakeholders. The Barren Ground outfitters will be included in that. Mr. Ramsay, I believe maybe Ms. Lee, in the House last week raised some concerns that they felt some shortcomings they felt in terms of the plan. I want to remind Members that this is a recommendation to government. We now intend to go out and consult with stakeholders to ensure that this plan makes sense and discuss the various options under the terms of the plan. Nothing has been done; there are no reductions in tags at this point, and there will be adequate consultation. I can't give the Member much more certainty than that or much more assurance than that, but I think that's certainly adequate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my next question goes to the Minister of Health and Social Services and it's in regard to the inter-provincial Ministers meeting that he attended in Victoria regarding the important issue of FASD. Could the Minister advise this House what was being talked about and the implications for the North? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this meeting of the Canada Northwest FASD Partnership was to do one main thing and that was to have the first formal meeting of the board of directors of the research centre that's being set up to focus on all the related areas that pertain to FASD, located out of B.C. with a sub-office in Calgary. They have a very strong list of directors; a CEO who is a world leader in the study of FASD. That was the primary function. As well, there was a world conference on FASD attended by people from around the world. There were over 1,200 delegates at this conference in Victoria when we were there, as well. So there was a tremendous focus while we were down there on this issue and all the related work that's being done. They had practitioners and judges, they had doctors, they had a whole host of very high-profile speakers in this area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister be more specific about the NWT and the GNWT and what role they play with respect to this whole infrastructure that's being built? I understand it's a think tank. I would assume that it's going to be doing studies that are going to be relevant to the people on the ground. Are there specific questions that we're asking them to look into, for example, or do we have a say on the membership of the board? Could he make some linkages to the North? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this whole partnership has a tremendous value for the Northwest Territories. If you accept the number put out by Health Canada, that nine in 1,000 babies are born with FASD, and round that up even to 10 in the North, then if you do the numbers, in terms of the number of children born with FASD, then it's significant. This partnership represents seven jurisdictions; four provinces and three territories. Sixty percent of the country, basically, is partnered up to try to focus resources and attention on this particular area. We all have huge issues with this. We all have northern issues, rural remote issues, aboriginal issues. So this area is very important. There is going to be a benefit to the Northwest Territories. If I can arrange it, I intend to do a Minister's statement in this House updating the Assembly on what exactly transpired, plus I'd be more than happy to pull together a package for the Members that gives you more detailed background on this whole area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The time for oral questions has expired; however, I will allow the Member her supplementary questions. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that we're talking in generalities here, but could the Minister just indicate what policy output there might be with this meeting? How could it impact on what this government does and does not do and what the NGOs do and do not do with regard to FASD in the North? I'm still not seeing what specific policy output there might be. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the research network that is part of this partnership is intended to achieve coordinated funding for research projects, network development and capacity building both across and within jurisdictions. The evidence-based information provided by the network will assist in the development of a progressive and inclusive policy, ultimately bettering the lives of individuals and families affected by the disorder. Plans are currently under way to conduct consultations with stakeholders in the partnership jurisdictions, including the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The time for oral questions has expired. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to go back to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm honoured to have two individuals in the gallery, especially these two ladies who have been instrumental with regard to our programs by way of the Tl'oondih healing programs and also community wellness programs and crime prevention programs. Hazel Nerysoo and Ms. Caynes have been instrumental in getting programs and services for the people in the Mackenzie Delta, by accessing federal programs. So, at this time, I'd like to thank them for their hard work and wish them well as they all continue working forward. I know that they're here to see the Minister of Justice, but we will be talking to them later. Again, thank you very much and welcome to the House.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act: A Consultation Paper, March 2005. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.