Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a supplementary to my question. How are you going to respond to the letter you say that you have received regarding the concerns that are being raised in Nanisivik? Will you just pass it on to the Baffin Divisional Board of Education, or are you going to give a response directly to the local education council in Nanisivik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What I will do is respond advising the CEC of the present responsibilities the department holds in terms of me, as Minister; and, secondly, the responsibilities that are held by the board. This Assembly and previous Minister, including myself, have tried to move away from the day-to-day business operational affairs of schools and have tried to put it in the hands of the communities. I think the debate that the honourable Member is raising is one that should occur within the divisional board and the arguments put forward because, in my view, it's the responsibility of the board to make the final determinations.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Renewable Resources. Mr. Speaker, it wasn't that long ago that the whole issue of waters flowing into the Northwest Territories from Alberta was a big environmental issue facing us all. We spent a lot of time and a lot of effort worrying about Daishowa and worrying about pulp mills being built in Alberta and the effect that that would have on our water basin here in the Northwest Territories. It seems that that environmental issue is no longer on the front pages. People seem to be concerned about diamonds today and they don't really have time to deal with more than one issue, perhaps.

What has actually happened with the trans-boundary water agreements? I'll ask that first. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you. When the Minister receives that information, I'm sure Members in this House would like to hear the ultimate disposition of this matter.

My supplementary question to the Minister; as part and parcel of the issue of effluents in the Mackenzie River system, there was a commitment by the federal government, I believe that our government was involved, to have a fairly comprehensive monitoring system put into place. I wonder if the Minister could inform this House as to what are the results of that monitoring.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The responsibility of water quality monitoring still lies with the three federal departments: Indian and Northern Affairs, Environment Canada; and, Fisheries and Oceans. I believe they are still monitoring the quality of water within our jurisdiction in the Northwest Territories. I have not received a recent update about the quality of water in the Northwest Territories, but I will find out and get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.