Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Here in the North, there is water everywhere. In the West, we all live in the Mackenzie River Basin. Most of us take our rivers and lakes for granted. They provide us with wetlands for our birds and mammals. We use the rivers for transportation and generating electricity. As northern students know, there is a thriving aquatic ecosystem in our waters; our own version of the circle of life.
Unfortunately, the time has come where we can't take our river system for granted. There are too many threats to it. For example, information just released on the impact of climate change on the northern environment along the Mackenzie River Basin, indicates that apparently over the past 30 years, the average temperature in our part of the world has gone up three degrees; the highest in Canada. This may seem insignificant or even a bonus given our seven or eight months of winter along the Mackenzie. However, scientists have proven that this increase along with increased average wind speeds, means the water in our lakes and rivers is evaporating more quickly than it used to. As a result, we have lost almost one-quarter of the water flowing in our rivers and streams in only 20 years.
On June 5th, I'll expect we'll hear more about the potential dangers to our river basin when the final report on the northern river basin study will be released. Jointly sponsored by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta and the GNWT, this five-year research study has examined the impacts of industrial and human development on the Peace/Athabasca/Slave River systems. I understand the report will detail findings in the area of hydrology, contaminants, drinking water, food chain, nutrients and traditional knowledge.
The NWT was represented in the study team by Robert McLeod of Yellowknife, Danny MacDonald of Salt River, and Mayor Dennis Bevington from Fort Smith. I'm sure these three individuals did their best to ensure the report will make recommendations which will preserve the quality of our river basin.
People living in the South Slave area are looking forward to the final report. With the river system feeding into the bigger Mackenzie Basin, I'm sure the results will also be of interest to all people living in the Western Arctic.
All indications are that massive development is scheduled for the Peace/Athabasca/Slave system. This includes forestry projects, expansion of tar sands extraction, increased agricultural use and more people living along the rivers.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.