Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. And we need to be mindful that, you know, as an Indigenous of the Northwest Territories, this is our land and our people that we are talking about. So, Mr. Speaker, a question for -- to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Can the Minister explain why Yellowknife students were given priority access to blood lead level testing when elevated lead results were first identified but that same access has not continued for students in small communities where positive results have since been confirmed? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what was done in -- when the first school was identified to have lead, health and social services within the city, within Yellowknife because that's where it was, made the public announcement if there were family or staff or parents of children who wanted to have their children assessed that they could contact the health care provider. Yes, in the capital, there was an email I believe, or a site where you could contact. However, in small communities, any small community that has tested positive is to contact your health centre. Many of the health centres are aware of this and so if they do the assessment and the assessment does call for needing a blood test, whereas even in Yellowknife when it said that they need an assessment, not necessarily did they all need a blood test. So it's based on the recommendation of the practitioner. And so that still stands for any of those health centres in small communities, that they just need to access their health care provider. Thank you.
Okay, Mr. Speaker, it's kind of disappointing. It would be nice if, you know, the Minister would be, you know, if the Minister was working well with the other health centre, so. But anyway since the public briefing, additional test results from NWT communities have shown lead levels far higher than what was known at that time. Can the Minister explain why that department has not provided updated public information on the potential health impacts for students in those communities? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, information that I have received from the chief public health officer is overall lead exposure has dropped dramatically in Canada and the NWT over time, and children's blood levels are at historic lows across the territory. Remaining sources of lead are well understood and manageable. GNWT has an effective testing and mitigation process in place for schools. Parents can feel confident that right now in schools drinking water is safe. And if people are concerned about their health and lead exposure, they can speak to their health care provider for more information and a health assessment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Monfwi.
Mr. Speaker, my next question is not to health and social services but it's to the infrastructure. Can I -- or I go back on the list then?
Then I will wait because it's for the infrastructure, McKay.
Oral questions. Member from Frame Lake.
