Thank you. That's the point I'm trying to make, Mr. Speaker, exactly what the Minister has indicated. It seems like the government, although they know we're having increasing problems with grizzly bears, is not willing to do anything at this point in time. So my question to the Minister is would the Minister undertake to consult with all the regions pertaining to this specific grizzly bear issue to see what the best way is to resolve or manage or deal with improving the safety of the people on the land so it can be assured. Could he undertake that so he goes to the communities and talks to the band councils, the game councils, and seek information from them to see what the best way is or what else we can do to try and curb these increasing problems we're having with grizzly bears? If it happens to be to change regulations, so be it. But if they come up with a different solution, let's hear it. Why can't he do something specifically to deal with this particular problem that we're having with grizzly bears? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my view, the response from the Minister is that it's not something new that he's taken to date. It's been an ongoing thing. The department has been doing everything that he said he's doing. My question was what steps has he or the department taken, because this problem has been on the increase for the last number of years, but nothing has been done in terms of changing the Wildlife Act or the regulations respecting grizzly bears. I know the department is working on a new proposed Wildlife Act and they're always saying they're going to deal with these types of issues within the new Wildlife Act. But because of the existing problems, are they going to do anything specifically to curb this issue that we're having with grizzly bears right now? He didn't really answer my question, Mr. Speaker, so I'd like to reiterate the same question to the Minister. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, Mr. Speaker, I spoke about the recent grizzly bear attack on one of my constituents, and the increasing problems our hunters, outfitters, and others are experiencing with grizzly bears. My question to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development is can the Minister tell me what are the steps he and his department are taking or have taken to curb the increasing problems we are having with grizzly bears? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, there have been a lot of promises made over a number of years for things to be dealt with within the new Wildlife Act, but we are still waiting today. Nothing has been done by this government. Later on this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, I will be questioning the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to conclude my statement.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just a few weeks ago, we all heard about the grizzly bear attack on two workers at Colomac Mine. This incident resulted in

serious injuries to two young men. Mr. Speaker, it could have been much worse. Those men are lucky to be alive today. It is very disturbing to me, Mr. Speaker, that there have been reports of this bear in the area and still no action was taken to protect these workers. They were not even allowed to have a gun with them at that time. Mr. Speaker, it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. Unfortunately, it is only a matter of time before it happens again. We are hearing more and more reports of grizzly bear encounters with hunters, outfitters, tourists and temp workers. The bears are also causing extensive damage to cabins and equipment.

Mr. Speaker, conservation and protection of species that are at risk is important, but is it more important than public safety? We have to do something to resolve this issue. The policies, regulations and laws we have now are not working. Not only that, we don't respect our Dene custom and values. Our culture varies from region to region, but traditionally, we would shoot a bear when we need to and then use the meat and the fur. There were no wastages, Mr. Speaker. Now we have to call RWED any time we shoot a grizzly and justify why we did it or we can get charged. The wildlife officers take the carcasses, and I don't even know, Mr. Speaker, what they do with it. More also needs to be done at the community level to educate the public, the residents and especially the youth on bear safety.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development have good bear videos, but are they available in aboriginal languages? How often are they shown in small communities? Mr. Speaker, later today, I am going to be asking the Minister what he is doing specifically to address this issue, and I hope his answers won't be just that it is going to be dealt with within the new Wildlife Act that is being proposed, because there have been a lot of promises made over the last number of years for things to be dealt with within the new act.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For my colleague's constituents, I don't want them to get misleading or false information from the government. I applaud the government for the direction they're going, and I think it's going to be a good project for the Sahtu region if we get this major, 126 megawatt project on stream. But nevertheless, the residents of those two communities of Tulita and Deline have to understand that no matter if it's a small project, it's not going to be viable, from my understanding from the government officials. In that respect, Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to ensure that my constituents understand the significance of this major project that the Premier is talking about. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my understanding from the officials from the Premier's department, the Power Corporation, even with the mini hydro specifically for Deline, I understand it won't be feasible for the community to absorb the costs of building this mini facility. Am I not correct? Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. The Premier didn't really answer my question. I realize that the diesel generation would still be used as a backup if the project goes ahead. My question to the Minister was am I correct by saying that if the project doesn't have a major customer such as the pipeline group, that no development will take place and those communities would not get hydro electricity from that project the Minister is making reference to? Thank you.