David Krutko

Mr. Speaker, in regard to the in-depth review that’s going on in Aklavik, my question was more directed to what role this government plays in regard to that survey and the in-depth study that’s going on in that community. As a government, are we involved in giving input by way of providing information surveys and whatnot that’s been done? Are we going to be called so that when they do determine the source of the problem, we’ve given them as much information as we can so they can make a good decision, whatever the outcome is?

So my question is more in line of what government’s role is in...

In light of my statement in regard to the issue in Aklavik, where they’re testing the residents of the community for H. pylori, an infection of the stomach, there has been a high number of cases of stomach cancer in that community. There is an in-depth study going on right now with regard to Dr. Morris and a bunch of people from different universities in southern Canada who have taken on this endeavour.

I would like to ask the Minister, in light of the funding situation we’re in — and we’re looking at a possible new source of funding by way of the Building Canada Fund — if those funds will be...

Mr. Speaker, your committee would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Mr. Speaker, in regard to my final supplementary, I’d just like to get some assurances from the Minister of MACA that community infrastructure will be considered when you’re looking at setting your priorities for the Building Community Fund. In light of the area such as possible water contamination or problems with our water systems in our communities, those get top priority when it comes to distributing that fund from the federal government.

In regard to the water treatment facilities, in the case of Aklavik, they do get their raw water from the Peel River which flows down from the Yukon. There are questions about contamination in that watershed.

I’m just wondering, as a government, these types of surveys that go on…. What role does MACA play in regard to following those surveys to see exactly what the implications of the outcomes could be for the government of the Northwest Territories by having to replace or upgrade our infrastructure in those communities?

Mr. Speaker, we all heard in the news over the last number of weeks about the in-depth study that’s going on in Aklavik, where they’re testing all the residents of Aklavik because of the stomach cancer concerns and the high number of people with stomach cancer in that community. We as a government are responsible for the infrastructure in a lot of our communities, and a lot of the concerns in regard to the findings of this study will let us know exactly what some of the causes of this stomach cancer are in the community. The community residents have always been concerned with the water process...

General comments. Mr. Bromley.

The Committee of the Whole is now in order. Sessional statement.

Is the committee agreed?

Mr. Speaker, I believe that during the 15th Assembly the Minister’s predecessor opened up that agreement and allowed more people to be flown in from southern Canada, with no consideration for other people in the Northwest Territories. Since that was the position given to the companies in the 15th Assembly, I don’t see why this government could not also ask for an addition to that agreement, like we already gave in the previous negotiations. I’d like to ask the Minister again: will he consider opening up that agreement to ensure that there are more Northwest Territories residents working in the...