Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question again is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. This is nothing new to this House, Mr. Speaker. I have raised this question since 1996 and I continue to do so. Mr. Speaker, some three years ago, I asked a similar question to the Minister of Health and Social Services, then Mrs. Groenewegen. Same question and I was given the assurance that the government was going to look at this problem. Again, I would like to ask the Minister...Excuse me, wrong page.

Mr. Speaker, at the time I asked what her department was doing to look at the effects of THMs on the people of Fort McPherson. At that time, she gave me the reassurance that the department was looking at this situation. So I would like to ask the Minister, where is this information that the department has been compiling since February 2000 on the THM problem in Fort McPherson, that your predecessor committed in this House to look and study the problem to see if there is any inconsistency in regard to the increased number of cancer patients in that community? Can the Minister tell me where this information is?

The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to point out that the government has been very active in trying to address the concerns. We spent millions of dollars to ensure there is a new water source for the people of Fort McPherson and that it's up and running. As well, we continue to monitor the issue of THMs. The information I have indicates that there was a previous look at the miscarriage rates in Fort McPherson and there is not shown to be any increased frequency. I can commit to get that information and pass it on to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not too sure if I am connecting with the Minister across the hall. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to monitoring the effect of THMs on the human body in regards to consuming it and what happens to the body. My question is what assurances can this government give the people of Fort McPherson of ongoing testing, so the people of Fort McPherson can be monitored to ensure there are no major increases in cancer or birth defects to the people of Fort McPherson? Can the Minister assure me that that's being looked at?

The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will state once again that the tests of January 17, 2003, indicate that the level of THMs is below the acceptable standard. It complies. It's not an issue at this point. We, as a matter of course, continue to track illnesses and diseases as they occur in communities, but in regards to these particular substances, THMs, my information from environmental health is that the most recent testing indicates that it's within acceptable standards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the THMs, the monitoring of the effects of THMs on the residents of Fort McPherson, they have had THMs in their water system for almost four-and-a-half years. If you consumed water every day for four-and-a-half years, what effect does that have on your body? Have you monitored for the effects on the individual residents of Fort McPherson after consuming THMs in their water system?

The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we work on a daily basis with the health of the people in the communities. As I indicated previously, I will look at the miscarriages rates in Fort McPherson. I am not sure of any increased frequency. I will share that information with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister make an attempt to get the respective studies or reports or tests that have been done and give me a breakdown of how many tests have been done, how many people have been tested and exactly where are those reports today. Are those reports available to me as a Member or the community of Fort McPherson? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have already committed in this House to get the rates of cancer and other specified diseases and illnesses as requested by the Member. I will share with him the testing that's been done that indicate that the level of THMs are now within acceptable standards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Mr. Speaker, I am not shying away from sitting down with the aboriginal organizations. I have, on several occasions, gone to the Member's riding two or three times. I recall the NWT Housing Corporation sending out a moratorium on evictions in June 2001, and we've continued to work with that community, trying to resolve some of the outstanding issues. Mr. Speaker, in terms of harmonization, we have directed staff to make overtures to those communities to advise the committee members that we are looking at making a policy change and we have directed staff to communicate that to the LHOs, the stakeholders and the aboriginal leadership of the day. So we have done a substantial amount of communication and consultation. I am not sure if we can do much more to enhance that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the discussion has been taking place in the House, there's been a lot of contact from the public and the communities. As the Minister has indicated, he's not sure what else he can do. Among the suggestions that have been made to me is to have public forums. There's been a request made to me for the Minister from the community of Fort Rae and also Fort Simpson if he would commit going to those communities to have public forums to talk about the harmonization. Will he commit to that?

The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have not had a letter or phone call from any leadership across the NWT objecting to this policy change. That doesn't prevent me from sitting down with either the Members who are uncertain about where we are going with this policy or the leadership. I am very open to sitting down further. If they have a forum, I am prepared to sit before them and indulge in a number of topical discussions. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.