Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
In this month’s edition of The Native Journal there’s a news brief about investment of $7 million by DIAND in the Atlantic region. Almost half of this funding is being directed to water and wastewater projects in First Nation communities. Funded projects include water and sewer lot development, water and wastewater improvements, and water tank maintenance. All across Canada there are issues and challenges related to water and wastewater management. There are also problems in the Northwest Territories.
Presently the health inspector is checking Wrigley’s water tanks in the homes to determine their safety, and residents have also asked the doctor in Fort Simpson to do some tests. The people in Wrigley have experienced problems with their water tanks. The water in Wrigley is very hard and this leads to scale forming and building up on the inside of water pipes. This, in turn, leads to clogged water pipes that block the water tank flow. Eventually the pipes are clogged and these tanks and pipes must be replaced.
Many homeowners cannot afford to replace their water tanks. If there are arrears with the Housing Corporation with payments, they cannot access funds from any of our housing programs.
Clean water is a health issue. There are cases where DIAND had provided funding for tank replacement. I believe that this government, either through the Housing Corporation or Health and Social Services, should provide program funding to residents of Wrigley to maintain and replace water tanks. In this way the most basic necessity of healthy, clean water, will be available to them.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
