Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I receive my information from the chief medical officer of the Northwest Territories. Ongoing analysis of Fort McPherson's drinking water indicates Brita filters are very effective in removing THMs. Prior to issuing the THM health advisory on November 30th, 1999, the Environmental Health Services of the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board made arrangements for testing the effectiveness of Brita filters with Fort McPherson's drinking water.

A series of samples were analysed, which compared the THM levels of water from the treatment plant before and after it was passed through the Brita filters. The results indicated an approximate 70 percent reduction in THM levels in the water that was passed through the Brita filter. This reduced the THM level well below the interim maximum acceptable concentration of 0.1 milligrams per litre, established in the guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality.

Based on these results, staff at the Inuvik Health and Social Services Board advised residents of Fort McPherson, during a public meeting held on December 9th, 1999, to filter their drinking water with a Brita filter, and to follow all filter flushing and replacement instructions to maintain water quality. Municipal and Community Affairs distributed Brita filters to community residents and ongoing weekly testing of the effectiveness of Brita filters continues to indicate they are very effective in lowering the THM levels in water. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.