Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is with regard to the community freezers in Paulatuk and Holman. At my recent constituency meeting in Paulatuk and Holman on April 29, 2004, the residents of these two communities raised, once again, the importance of community freezers. They indicated that community freezers are a vital component for the safe storage of their annual harvest. Mr. Speaker, the high cost of diesel-generated electricity running these freezers is expensive, there is no doubt about it. Small communities are struggling to meet the needs of their residents as it is, and they just do not have the cash laying around to cover thousands of dollars in utility costs. My constituents are concerned that if RWED cannot provide the necessary funds for the maintenance and operation of these freezers, their annual spring harvest will spoil and they will be left without traditional food. Traditional food plays a very significant role in their daily diet and offsets the high cost of buying southern foods in local stores. This government promotes traditional food as a healthier nutrition choice than a lot of what you can buy in the stores.

There is another factor that may come into play, which is one concern of the residents of Paulatuk and Homan, and that is the wastage of wild meat, which, in their culture, is forbidden. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to discuss this issue with the honourable Minister on a couple of occasions. Today, as I speak, there is still no commitment from his department to address this important concern from the residents of Paulatuk and Holman by providing sufficient funds to maintain their freezers for the 2004-2005 season, and suffice it to say that government is looking for more energy efficient solutions, and in the long term I think that I will see that as the outcome. But, in the meantime, what are the people supposed to do?

Mr. Speaker, the weather is particularly warm and it is a concern for residents of Paulatuk and Holman and they cannot be without a safe storage for their annual spring and summer harvest. If resolution is not found today, my constituents will suffer in particular with regard to their traditional hunt and summer holidays.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

The Member is seeking for consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent to conclude your statement.

Calvin Pokiak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the perfect time I will have questions for the honourable Minister of RWED. Thank you.