Foreign Affairs committee  Again, I would just reiterate that we can't stress enough how important it is to allow the first nations and other citizens of the north as well as the various stakeholders to be able to bring their various views and opinions forward and actively engage in the process and feel engaged in it.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you. I would reiterate the same thing, that we're not really in a position to comment on whether we need to address it to a greater or lesser degree. I will re-emphasize, as my northern colleagues said, that our focus is on adaptation. We recognize that climate change is happening.

Foreign Affairs committee  The Yukon government has actually paid a lot of attention to Internet, and a while back we undertook a Connect Yukon project. As a result, 98% of our homes can connect to high-speed Internet, if you define it as five megabits per service download. Eighty percent of our homes are actually connected.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you. Certainly a circumpolar business forum that presents an opportunity to bring focus and attention to Canada's north would be welcome. As an example, the Yukon currently participates in a Pacific Northwest Economic Region group, consisting of the western provinces, ourselves, the GNWT, and a lot of the Pacific northwest states.

Foreign Affairs committee  I would respond from a couple of different perspectives. The Yukon is positioned quite close to the Pacific Rim, so of course we do a lot of international investment attraction. Internationally, there's a strong recognition of Canada's acknowledgement of the importance of the north.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you. The Government of Yukon as well would support and encourage resources to allow permanent participation. We would recognize that perhaps the discussion would have to be with those who are participating with regard to what those resources might look like.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you. Good afternoon. It's with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to speak to you, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Thanks for allowing me this time. Good afternoon also to my fellow representatives from the north. As you mentioned, I am Terry Hayden, the acting deputy minister of the Department of Economic Development.