Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.

WHEREAS the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act states the purpose of the establishment of boards by the act is to enable residents of the Mackenzie Valley to participate in the management of its resources for the benefit of the residents and of other Canadians;

AND WHEREAS the act provides that the chairperson of a board shall be appointed by the federal Minister from persons nominated by a majority of the board members;

AND WHEREAS the chair's position for the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board is currently vacant and the board has nominated three Northwest Territories residents for the federal Minister's consideration;

AND WHEREAS the CBC reported on March 7, 2005, that a resident of British Columbia, who is not nominated by board members, has been added to the short list of candidates for the chair;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for North Slave, that the Premier immediately communicate to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development the GNWT's and this Legislative Assembly's objection to the appointment of a non-resident of the NWT, who is not nominated by the board members, as the chair of the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.