Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about environmental health concerns in the community of Lutselk'e. People fishing at Stark Lake have noticed abnormal lake trout and whitefish for many years now. When I say abnormal, fish have been seen with cysts on their organs, abnormally large heads, skinny bodies and other deformities. This lake is two kilometres from Lutselk'e.

As a result, people have changed their fishing habits and are not fishing there anymore. It is not known what is causing these deformities in the fish, and that is my concern. Studies have been done that have not pinpointed the problem. One study looked at possible contamination from decades old Stark Lake uranium exploration, but it did not identify what was causing the problems with the fish.

Another traditional knowledge and scientific study will start soon to look at the problem. Habitat specialists will be visiting the community soon as well. They will be looking at long-range pollutants such as toxiphine, a pesticide from cotton crops. Other possible causes for the unhealthy fish at Stark Lake include an overpopulation of lake trout and whitefish with limited feeding habitat. Another concern is that Stark Lake is part of the Snowdrift River system, which connects with Great Slave Lake.

Mr. Speaker, the Stark Lake fish habitat has been on the decline for many years. People used to camp along the shoreline and harvest whitefish and lake trout to feed their families and dogs. They no longer do so. The unhealthy fish with softer meat and lesions is turning away the tourist potential in the area as well. One fishing lodge does not take their people on guided tours there due to the poor health of the fish.

Mr. Speaker, if this is an environmental health problem, it is my hope that it is identified soon so that people know what they are dealing with. It is very unnerving to find fish in this state of defect. It is also unknown what long-term effects this could have. I hope the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development would help in assisting with identifying the problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause