Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the community of Aklavik, there is presently a study being looked at for the community which was initiated by Dr. Jay Morris, who is a doctor here in Yellowknife, with regard to a parasite better known as H. pylori, which is a carcinogen in the water system, which has a lot of effects that cause cancer in families, especially in various families in the community of Aklavik with regard to stomach cancer and lung cancer.
Also, he would like to do two stage tests, one dealing with the cancer study and the other dealing with the water tank study to look at the quality of water in Aklavik with regard to the water tanks that are in people's homes and also testing the water treatment facility to see if this parasite is in the water system. Mostly, they are considering that there is a possibility of dealing with this matter through treatment. This carcinogen has, which is nine times more effectiveness of causing stomach cancer than any other causes. If it is caught soon enough it can be treated.
The community of Aklavik has had several meetings on this regarding the problem of the shortage of nurses. They were considering doing an in-depth study of all the families in the community and the whole population of Aklavik. Mr. Speaker, this study is not only useful to Aklavik, it can also assist other communities up and down the Mackenzie Valley and in the North to deal with this problem that we see in our communities when it comes to cancer.
The community of Aklavik has taken steps to work along with the Beaufort Delta Regional Health Board to take efforts to carry out this study along with Dr. Morris who will be overseeing this study.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I think it is also important that it is not only up to the community and the regional health boards to look at this issue, it is up to this government to deal with a matter which we should take seriously and also put the resources and resource people in place to assist this study, to carry it out for the benefit of all people of the North. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister responsible for Health questions on this matter.
-- Applause