Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on February 17, 1994.

In response to the concerns raised by the honourable Member regarding the quality of the drinking water and the location of the water treatment plant in Fort Resolution, I advise the honourable Member of the following.

While the use of chlorine has affected the taste of the water for a short duration, I would like to assure the Member that the treatment of water at the current location meets the Canadian drinking water standards.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs recognizes the community's desire to relocate the water treatment plant in order to make better use of the land in that area. An engineering consultant was retained by the department to investigate the matter.

The results of this study are still under review and a monitoring committee has been established with representatives from the community and the departments of Municipal and Community Affairs and Public Works and Services.

Both departments will continue to work with the community council to ensure that a safe and reliable long-term supply of water is available to the residents of Fort Resolution.

I have a second response, Mr. Speaker.

This was asked by Mr. Gargan on March 3, 1994 regarding the Hay River Reserve emergency communication system.

The department provided communication equipment to the reserve in past years. But now, the community has taken the initiative to improve their situation. In the recent past, the Emergency Measures Organization had assisted the reserve by supplying a basic VHF communication system which allowed them, during breakup, to communicate on the reserve as well as to the both the GNWT and the town of Hay River off the reserve.

The Emergency Measures Organization has explored various options with the reserve which could lead to funding to purchase a complete VHF communication system.

In 1993, the band submitted a funding proposal to Emergency Preparedness Canada, under the joint emergency preparedness program. This proposal was approved by the federal government on November 2, 1993 on the basis of a 50/50 cost-sharing. The system installation was completed in February 1994 and the reserve now has a fully operational VHF communication system with a repeater and telephone interconnect linking the band office with vehicles, key personnel, the town of Hay River and NorthwesTel.

The EMO coordinator is travelling to the reserve on March 9 to assist the band in preparing their claim to the federal government under JEPP, and review contingency plans for the 1994 breakup. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Arngna'naaq. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.