Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A vitalization strategy and business plan have been developed to help ensure the longevity and the health of the fishery, the commercial fishery on Great Slave Lake. The Member highlighted a number of areas where the government has worked very hard at the revitalization of the commercial fishery. We continue to push forward. There’s a new fishing cooperative in Hay River. We’ve approached the federal government on a number of occasions, both the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Ms. Shea, and also CanNor. We haven’t had any success on getting a response from the federal government on our request.

As the Member mentioned, and others have mentioned, there’s an election coming up soon. We will have a better understanding of the government in Ottawa after that election takes place.

I can let the Member and Members know that the $1.5 million we have earmarked for the fish plant in Hay River is something we feel very strongly about. If we can’t get investment from the federal government

on

moving

forward

with

the

development of that export grade fish plant, we will be seeking some type of private equity, private investment in that facility so it can move ahead. We can’t wait forever for the federal government. Thank you.