Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Slave River originates in the Peace River-Athabasca Delta and the forks of Peace River which drains into Athabasca River and Lake Athabasca which drains also into the Slave River that flows north into the Northwest Territories north of Fort Resolution that drains into Great Slave Lake and all the way down to the Mackenzie Delta which impacts communities all along the way.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday a bulletin came out to us from Alberta, as per transboundary agreement, notifying us that the runoff water from the Suncor oil sands mine to the Athabasca River tested above compliance parameters, meaning that runoff from the tailings ponds could be releasing hazardous chemicals into the watershed. Mr. Speaker, these chemicals can be toxic to the health of those who fish on the river downstream from the oil sands in northern Alberta. I am concerned that the Slave River, which runs through my riding, could be carrying these chemicals up from this incident in Alberta and contaminating the fish.
The people of my riding of Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh have been experiencing high cancer rates for many generations, and we are still trying to figure out what caused the cancer rates. Colonialisms in the North have been very negative consequences for the health of Indigenous peoples, so it's no surprise my communities are always on guard.
I know we are trying to change how we develop our resources in partnership with corporations, Indigenous governments, and other provincial jurisdictions in order to introduce more social responsibility and environmental sustainability practices, but more needs to be done. I hope to ask the Minister of ECC later today for some more clarity on this issue because my constituents are very concerned. There is still more testing needed and information to be gathered, but I'd like to give the Minister an opportunity to alleviate some of these concerns, and I will be asking some questions later today so that the North is better prepared for incidents like this in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
