Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today is about something we all take for granted - water. Water, water, everywhere, and not a drop to drink. I think we take for granted the ability to pick up a glass of water and drink it without having any second thoughts as to what is in the water and where it may have come from.
Mr. Speaker, this is an issue I have raised in this House over the last four years, the issue of the water quality in Fort McPherson. I have not spoken publicly on this issue in some time, but I believe it is now more grave than ever. There is a chemical in the water system in Fort McPherson called THM, or trihalomethane.
The concern comes when the water is mixed in with chlorine, because it causes a reaction. As everyone here knows, all water in Canada has to be treated with chlorine. The community of Fort McPherson has made statements publicly on this concern through the airwaves, and the newspapers.
I have been doing my best to ensure that this issue is dealt with through the means that I have. I have raised this issue with the Minister of Indian Affairs, and with our Member of Parliament, the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, and with the newly elected Premier, the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, along with the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Antoine.
To try to find a quick solution to deal with this problem, and to ensure this will be done with our best efforts, realizing that we do have some restrictions and restraints in the process of reaching a conclusion, I would like to make the public and the people of Fort McPherson aware that this issue is high on my agenda. It has been brought up with the Minister of Indian Affairs, who, along with the federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs and this government must work to ensure that this public issue is dealt with as an emergency crisis.
With that, I will be asking the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs questions on this matter later on. Thank you.