Debates of August 22, 2007 (day 15)

Mr. Speaker, one last time my questions are for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I have outlined a new problem that has appeared in Hay River. It probably isn’t any problem in the sense that we do have muddy water in the spring almost every year as long as I can remember. However, the new problem is that we can no longer rely on the system we have in place to be adequate to meet the Canadian drinking water standards. This is going to require a solution. It is probably not going to be a cheap solution. We need to, first of all, explore what some of the options for a solution might be and then implement a solution. I would like to ask the Minister what funding may be available through his department to assist Hay River with this challenge. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 178-15(6): Hay River Water Quality And Supply

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of different funding sources that we provide to the communities for assistance that they could use in the area of water facilities and infrastructure. That is the gas tax, the municipal rural infrastructure fund and the new capital dollars that we have provided. Mr. Speaker, we also have our staff work with communities to leverage any federal funding that might be available. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 178-15(6): Hay River Water Quality And Supply

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if a need as pressing as this one could qualify under the extraordinary funding that is available through his department. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 178-15(6): Hay River Water Quality And Supply

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If it was demonstrated that the need was an emergency, we would certainly consider it. In this instance, there may be other options. There may be treatment options. The municipality has also indicated that they may have to look at settling ponds. So we would really have to be convinced that this is an emergency. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 178-15(6): Hay River Water Quality And Supply

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is not spring right now, but in the spring when there is a boil water in place for almost a whole month, would that constitute an emergency for a population such as served by our water intake line? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 178-15(6): Hay River Water Quality And Supply

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the case of Hay River, there was no bacteria reported in the sampling. There was no reported illness from the situation. So I guess it is an inconvenience, but I wouldn’t consider it an emergency.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 178-15(6): Hay River Water Quality And Supply

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to confirm with the Minister then, if the Town of Hay River administration put together an application under the extraordinary funding program outlining the problem, the challenge and the imminent costs, would MACA at least sit down and consider that possibility or that avenue? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 178-15(6): Hay River Water Quality And Supply

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we would sit down and evaluate the ask. Mr. Speaker, we have had some discussion on this. There are still a number of options out there. However, if there is infrastructure investment required and it is something that the community can’t handle, we would certainly want to work with them. Thank you.