Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Jeannie Marie-Jewell on February 12, 1992. The new pulp and paper regulation package that was published in the Canada Gazette had been put together by Environment Canada following extensive public consultation with provincial and territorial governments, the pulp and paper industry and environment groups.
The Department of Renewable Resources participated in the public consultation meeting held in Yellowknife regarding the amendments and prepared a series of questions relating to the concerns of the Northwest Territories. Our major concern was how the regulations would address the cumulative effects of several mills operating on the same river system. Department officials also participated in a workshop in Ottawa regarding the amendments. This was also followed up by correspondence to the federal Minister of the Environment.
The federal Environment Minister responded to our question by stating that cumulative effects could not specifically be dealt with by "end of pipe" regulations. However, our concerns would be addressed by the Northern Rivers Study, and if problems arise once the regulations are in place, then site-specific regulations could be developed. Environmental effects-monitoring studies required by the pulp mills may also lead to more specific site requirements.
Therefore, after reviewing the draft regulations, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, and based on the comments from the federal Minister, the Government of the Northwest Territories' concerns have been addressed. Those regulations call for no detection of dioxins and furons in pulp mill effluent and a ban on defoamers which form dioxins and furons. Once these regulations are implemented, they will virtually eliminate dioxins and furons in pulp mill effluent. Thank you.