Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
One of the outstanding issues for the communities of Tu Nedhe is dust and mud in and around both of those communities. Every spring and summer residents in Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e have to endure both dust and mud issues. When it’s hot and dry, dust is everywhere. When the municipal workers apply water on the roads to suppress the dust, by doing so they have created another problem with mud. It also becomes very muddy when it rains in both those communities. For residents in both Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e, the issue is a problem even in the homes. Dust finds itself everywhere into the homes: on furniture, pictures, TV, and so on. Dust is everywhere all summer long in the homes. You can imagine the impact on personal health.
I’ve been approached by elders in both communities, elders with various respiratory problems, and they have asked that we do something as a government to provide some sort of relief from the dust problems. Parents with newborn and young children are also concerned. This is not only a municipal issue, it’s become a health issue.
As I said in the past, there is no reason in this day and age that the roads in our communities have to be in this condition. Again, I realize this is a
community responsibility; however, I feel that MACA must play a more prominent role in resolving the issue. I feel that MACA must be more proactive with the communities on these kind of municipal issues, particularly with small communities whose community capacity and capital allocations are limited. They must ensure enough resources are provided. They must ensure that technical and administrative support is provided where necessary to address this issue once and for all.
Another summer has just ended. There is no reason why we are unable to have something in place for this coming spring. Later today I will have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Mahsi cho.