Thank you, Madam Speaker. The only requirement of a hunter when they catch a polar bear is that they take the hide. That is the only area which the department ensures the hunter does. If the hunter is willing to make a profit on other parts of the animal, we do not, as a department, encourage that, nor as a government do we encourage that, but it is up to the hunter to be able to benefit from other parts of the animal. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I know that the department looks very often to the various hunters and trappers in the communities. I believe the department is a very community-oriented department, and any consideration that may be made for making use of animals for government or departmental purposes would require extensive consultation, I believe, with aboriginal people as well as with those people who are in the commercial industry. That shouldn't stop the department from looking at various ways in which we can benefit, but I believe that it would require extensive consultation, especially with aboriginal people who have some religious or significant relevance to the bear. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I believe the Department of Renewable Resources has looked at a number of ways which might be beneficial for hunters and trappers in the various communities in the Northwest Territories. But, Madam Speaker, I also believe departmental staff and officials are aware that bears, as an animal, may have some other significance to the aboriginal people in the

Northwest Territories. The department has been very sensitive to that and any time bears are discussed, they have been sensitive to concerns that may be raised by aboriginal people.

Now, as far as the sale and demand by other countries for parts of animals, that is something the hunters and trappers should be able to decide. We do not, as a department or government, have legislation that would restrict them from doing so. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will investigate and find out as much information as I can about this. I believe the department probably does have some information, including those from lobby groups and from those who may be in favour of this type of fee. At this time, I don't have the information, but I will endeavour to find the information and pass it on to the Minister of the Environment. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As of today, I have not.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Department of Renewable Resources, as far as the environment is concerned, has created some guidelines, but no enforceable regulations. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the 1995-96 capital budget of the Department of Renewable Resources is just under $2.5 million. Of this, almost 65 per cent is used to maintain offices and equipment for regional staff. It is through regional offices that the department's programs and services are delivered to the public.

Staff use the equipment to travel on the land and to conduct renewable resource development and management projects. The 1995-96 mobile equipment budget has been reduced by 25 per cent from last year in accordance with the recommendation from the Standing Committee on Finance. The inventory of departmental mobile equipment has also been reviewed and old, surplus equipment is being provided to community organizations.

The remainder of the 1995-96 capital budget relates to purchasing equipment and renovating existing facilities used during forest fire management activities. It is important to maintain all facilities and equipment in good condition when you are managing forest fires in an area that covers one-third of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I fully agree with the Member that our furs in the Northwest Territories are some of the best in the world. I hope that we will continue to show that we have top-quality furs that are going out on the market. At the present time, Madam Speaker, I am not certain what the exact prices are on fur, but I know the price of fur has increased slightly. The price on fur varies from year to year. I know the price on fur that is sold to the fur grading centres is higher than they were a number of years ago, and whether it will continue to rise, I am not certain. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, the department has had discussions with the various fur grading centres and have tried to set up a system where the fur grading centres would be able to keep the NWT furs separate from other furs. But, at this time, we are not aware that this will be possible. It is something that the department is working on, to keep furs harvested in the Northwest Territories separate from furs harvested elsewhere. Thank you, Madam Speaker.