Mr. Speaker, I just have one more return. It is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ballantyne on March 29th, regarding the strategy for monitoring air quality.
The problem of airborne pollutants is not restricted to the Northwest Territories. It is a global problem that requires global solutions. The Government of Canada has taken a lead role in promoting new international agreements on the management of pollutants, such as through the United Nations economic commission for Europe's convention on long-range transboundary air pollution. While Canada no longer allows the use of pollutants such as DDT and toxaphene, many other countries have not yet done so.
The Government of the Northwest Territories, primarily through the Departments of Renewable Resources and Health and Social Services, continues to urge the federal government to take any actions necessary to reduce international sources of airborne pollutants. The Premier has brought this concern to the attention of the Prime Minister. Where appropriate, our government participates directly on task forces or Canadian delegations to ensure that northern concerns relating to airborne pollutants are heard and addressed. Most recently, at the February meeting of Canada's Energy and Environment Ministers, the Department of Renewable Resources spoke of northern concerns and the need to promote new agreements to manage these pollutants.
To respond to concerns over territorial sources of air pollutants, the Department of Renewable Resources has prepared air quality guidelines which recommend local limits for certain airborne pollutants. Compliance with the guidelines is voluntary. The Government of the Northwest Territories will continue to participate in programs that monitor the levels of air pollutants in the air, water, wildlife and people. The most recent information shows that levels of airborne pollutants in country foods are not increasing or affecting the productivity of territorial wildlife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.