Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak about the quality of life in our communities today. In the March session, we spent a lot of time in this House with the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs discussing the very important issue of the quality of life in our communities, specifically dealing with dust control. I know the department has a plan that the communities do not know about. I will be asking the Minister some questions relating to my statement so that I can give him a chance for public announcements in the House.
Mr. Speaker, when we finished the last session we talked about dust monitoring stations throughout the Northwest Territories to determine where dust is at the highest levels, so we could appropriately direct our resources to address those that need it the most first and move our way down, knowing our fiscal restraints. However, the government came back after the fact, saying that it's too costly and administratively too cumbersome to put these dust monitoring stations in every community, therefore, we're going to continue with what we planned.
If Members and colleagues remember correctly, they're going to start the dust control in Tuktoyaktuk. My argument at that time was why are we starting way up north when they have the earliest snow fall and the snow melts the latest? Dust control in the south should be a priority because we have summer here a little bit longer. But that seems to have gone by the wayside. So I'm going to ask the Minister where are we starting first, how are we going to get dust controls in every community, and how long will it take? This is a very important issue for all our communities that don't have paved streets or chipsealed streets.
The consumption of water is regulated by a national standard. We consume less than that. People are having more and more problems with their respiratory systems because of the dust. People with allergies have to leave work a little earlier. These are all the issues that are felt, and the government has not responded to them as of yet. So I'll be asking the Minister responsible for the communities some questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause