Mr. Speaker, I noticed that you skipped over item 4, returns to oral questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, the first workshop for the Slave geological province regional study occurred on February 28th and March 1st and 2nd. This workshop brought together representatives from aboriginal groups, industry, environmental groups and government. The basic objective of the study is to develop an environmental and socio-economic information base for the area that geologists refer to as the Slave geological province.

Prior to this workshop, there were discussions with these groups on a bilateral basis. This workshop was the first opportunity for all groups to express their vision, interests and concerns surrounding the sustainable development of the Slave geological province. The main purpose of the workshop was to build a partnership among all parties, as the Slave geological province regional study must reflect the priorities of all partners so that mineral development can proceed responsibly.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that after three days of hard work and considerable discussion by 50 to 60 participants, there was consensus on a course of action for the next stages of the study. A working group has been established consisting of a representative from Nunavut, Treaty 8, Treaty 11, Metis Nation, NWT Chamber of Mines, DIAND, GNWT, the guiding and outfitting industry and the environmental organizations. This working group will be responsible for refining the terms of reference for the study and organizing future planning meetings.

Mr. Speaker, it was also decided that the GNWT and DIAND would lead in bringing together all existing information, in order that the study address information gaps and not duplicate work that has already been done. Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased with the progress that was made at this first workshop. There has been a clear indication that all stakeholders are willing to work together in designing an environmental and socio-economic study for the Slave geological province.

Mr. Speaker, this workshop was the first time all stakeholders, including Dene elders and political leaders, major mining companies, small industry, Inuit representatives, Metis, our government, the federal government and environmental organizations have met around a table to work toward a consensus. I look forward to many more successful meetings. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Mr. Handley to respond.

That is a trust that is being administered by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. I'm not aware of the particulars of this program.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. The trapper incentive subsidy was finished in 1994-95 and was replaced by the fur price program in 1995-96.

Mr. Chairman, I'm told that the areas where reforestation is done are in those areas where trees have been cut and where they feel it will be difficult to have natural regrowth in that particular area.

Mr. Chairman, the silviculture is not just tree planting, but is the whole area of the treatment of trees, diseases, the insects and so on of trees. The whole management of a tree is what silviculture is involved in.

To the reforestation question, the base we have for that particular section is $140,000 .

Mr. Chairman, the silviculture program is tree planting.