Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and I'd like to join my colleagues in thanking all of you for joining us on such short notice. This has worked very well, the teleconference. I don't think we were sure how it was going to go but it's gone very well. Thank you very much.
I want to go back to some of the comments that were made in the opening remarks.
Mr. Walz and Mr. Ross, respectively, you made comments about being on the cusp of developing the biomass industry and also introducing—I think this was Mr. Ross—a draft bioenergy strategy very recently.
I also understand that the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations are working with NRCan through the Canadian Forest Service aboriginal forestry initiative or AFI on a strategic approach to supporting forest-based economic development for aboriginal peoples across Canada and that in 2014-15 AFI is investing $80,000 in the sustainable use of biomass to drive local economic development. I understand as well that there are some factors driving this. First of all, there is the assessment of the cost of energy over time as well as a goal to reduce the use of imported energy products, notwithstanding industry's interest in seeing some value-added products for your area.
Is there any pan-territorial initiative ongoing right now that you would like the committee to be aware of or are there any partnerships and opportunities for pan-territorial initiatives? Lastly, what could the federal government do to help foster any sort of pan-territorial efforts?
Any one of you can answer that question.