Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 1-17(2).

All this contamination will affect about seven families, not to mention all the users from Fort Liard. I would like to highlight this as a grave concern for the community. I would like to ask the Minister how can the community act on highlighting this with the federal government to ensure that it is a priority on the federal agenda. What steps can we take to heighten the awareness of this contaminated area? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to follow up on my Member’s statement wherein I spoke about Fisherman Lake just across from Fort Liard and the contamination that is present. I would like to ask the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, it has been on the agenda for some time for Fort Liard and the residents. It is almost 30 years there. During my recent visit to Fort Liard, the concern of the families there is that it has been contaminated. What type of mitigation efforts, what type of ongoing monitoring is happening in Fisherman Lake?

Yes, I did, but I didn’t know if my colleagues had any more comments on the Department of Transportation, but I do have a motion to defer consideration.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to follow up on Highway No. 7 here. I know the Minister had indicated in his last response to me that he would look at expending monies early, but I think I’m looking for a firm commitment that the department be serious about Highway No. 7 and spend the money early in the new year.

I’ll probably take the opportunity to comment on the $1.3 million of capital carry-overs and also I’d like the Minister to confirm that those projects will go ahead early in the new year. Like I said, I’m not happy with commitments anymore. I want this in writing. The Minister has...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee resume consideration of item 11, Department of Transportation, contained in Tabled Document 1-17(2), Interim Appropriation 2012-2013, summary of interim appropriations found on page 3. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am well aware of the government’s intent to have devolution for our northern territory, but I think the most important thing for the residents of Fort Liard is to address their serious environmental concerns that are affecting their people. I would like to ask the Minister once again how can we raise and heighten the awareness of the environmental concern of Fisherman Lake for the residents of Fort Liard. It could be up to and including a public inquiry. Thank you.

When it comes to the water and the fish that is in that lake, there is potential contamination of that as well. What can this government do to work to get the water also tested and monitored? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak about the environment and the concerns of Fisherman Lake near Fort Liard. There is a difference between monitoring and remediation, just like there is a difference between a lake and a tailings pond. I have some concerns about the contamination of Fisherman Lake in the Pointed Mountain Gas Field near Fort Liard. This lake provides for seven families of Fort Liard. They have been there for generations. Groundwater, surface water and soil in the Fisherman Lake area, only 20 kilometres north of the hamlet, is contaminated after years of oil and gas...

Yes. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I move that this committee defer consideration of item number 11, Department of Transportation, contained in Tabled Document 1-17(2), Interim Appropriation 2012-2013. Thank you, Madam Chair.