Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Madam Speaker, I realize that there is still a master agreement that requires approval of other jurisdictions before finalization, but I would like to ask whether this government is also doing any type of monitoring, besides Fisheries and Oceans.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think that the amount of toxins that go into the Mackenzie River are not controllable by this government. Therefore, we, as a government have been strongly pursuing the signing of the Mackenzie River Basin master agreement whereby fewer toxins would be allowed into the Mackenzie River. But the specific area in question is something that we are not able to answer with complete surety at this point. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Madam Speaker, as a result of the concern I have, I've made a statement. I'm sure anybody who lives on the Slave River, Athabasca River, Slave Lake or Mackenzie River would have a concern about the amount of pollution that's being discharged into the river. I don't think that this is something I would like to take lightly or that the department should be taking lightly. I would like to ask the Minister, while there are discussions happening regarding the tripartite agreement, that we don't ignore this and leave it until it's too late. I would like to ask the Minister if he is conveying to the federal department of Fisheries and Oceans that the residents should be warned whether the water is safe or we should be concerned.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I agree with the honourable Member that the amount of discharge of toxin into any waters in the Northwest Territories is of great importance to the Government of the Northwest Territories. I would like to point out that when the master agreement was put together, I was the first to sign it and have been, since then, pressuring the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs to sign the agreement and then to pass it on to the other jurisdictions which have part of the Mackenzie River in their jurisdiction. I have been pursuing this agreement, and I believe the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has now signed the agreement and is passing it on to the other jurisdictions which are Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Mike.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The decision to reorganize the department was made by my deputy minister, Dave Ramsden.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Members on this side of the House have always described this department as being one of the best departments in the government, and I know that none of the MLAs in this House have asked for any sort of reorganization of this department. The people who we represent in the municipal governments in the communities are quite satisfied with the way the services are delivered by this department. However, Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if any type of analysis or any type of questions were asked to the communities before this reorganization took place. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Mike.