Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today deals with something that is fundamental in the lives of all people -- having good, safe drinking water to consume for your use. Yet, Mr. Speaker, I find it awfully difficult, realizing the problems I have seen in the Mackenzie Delta with THMs in Fort McPherson, ...inaudible...context in Tsiigehtchic, and also H. pylori in water samples in Aklavik.
Mr. Speaker, what alarms me the most is that presently there is no environmental health officer in the Inuvik region to ensure the health and the well-being of the residents of the Northwest Territories and the Mackenzie Delta are being looked at and having someone there to ensure that the health of the people in the Mackenzie Delta is being monitored by ensuring that the environmental health officer is directing the Departments of Public Works and MACA to continue with its water samples and testing of the water to ensure that the health and the well-being of the residents that I serve is being upheld.
Mr. Speaker, what upsets me the most is that presently there are no time frames to the conclusion of the Fort McPherson water project, which was supposed to be in operation effective July 1st. It is way behind schedule. It looks like there may be a cost overrun. Yet, Mr. Speaker, this was supposed to be a priority of this government. The whole water issue was supposed to be a priority with regard to the health of what we see.
Yet with what is going on across Canada, with Walkerton and elsewhere in the provinces and other jurisdictions, we are seeing the results of not monitoring our water systems and ensuring the upkeep of the facilities in our communities is being worked on. Yet when we have systems that are breaking down under this government and nothing is being done about it, I for one feel that there has to be something done.
Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot stated with regard to improving the water treatment facilities in our communities. Yet, Mr. Speaker, I believe we are moving too slowly on this matter. I for one feel this government has to do more and they have to be more active in ensuring that we have safe drinking water in the Northwest Territories. With that, I will be asking the Minister questions on this matter. Thank you.