Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to start by commending the Members opposite for bringing this motion forward. I think not only this motion but the one prior, the motion on climate change. The two motions, Mr. Speaker, really can be looked at collectively because they are one in the same. We need to make strides and take steps to protect our environment and if we are able to do so, we are going to ensure that we have drinking water for generations to come; the water that, as Members have pointed out, we rely on for everyday life.

Mr. Speaker, I had the chance last week in Ottawa to represent our government at the launch of the International Polar Year. Many northerners in attendance, researchers, scientists from around the world, talking about climate change and the impact it will have on Arctic and Antarctic jurisdictions, talking about not only the affects of climate change but about the vast amount of fresh water that was locked up in the North and the need to protect it. They had a number of questions for me, for our government, and we are very interested because they know, Mr. Speaker, that northerners are at the forefront of the decisions that are taken today and will feel the impacts first, of course, of climate change. We will feel the ramifications if we are not active in protecting our water, our fresh water. We have seen what can happen around the world when we don't get it right, Mr. Speaker, not only in foreign countries but right here at home. We can see in our port cities, we can see in the Great Lakes, the mistakes that are made if we allow industrial development, if we allow human activity to go unchecked. I think it's incumbent on us to put in place, Mr. Speaker, the number of safeguards and checks and balances that we need to see to protect our environment.

We talked today about the need for devolution, for us to get more control from the federal government over our lands, our water and our resources. Mr. Speaker, I think none of us will rest until that's the case. But it isn't enough for us to throw up our hands in frustration and suggest we don't have the jurisdiction. We can all do our part to lobby this country, to make sure we are on the consciousness of Canada and ensure that people recognize that we are not going to stand by idly, Mr. Speaker, and allow the degradation and erosion of our environment and that includes our water, Mr. Speaker.

So let me thank the Members of this House for bringing forward the two motions. Of course, the one that we weren't able to speak to, Mr. Speaker, and vote on, but I want to say that it's critical that we look at these two motions in tandem, we support them collectively, we continue to send the sentiments to the rest of the country

and continue to send the message that it is critical for our survival here in the North. It is critical that we demand industry start to take the steps to reduce emissions, Mr. Speaker, and I think northerners can lead that charge. I think we are showing that here today and I know that the rest of the country is watching. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause