Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Today I would like to talk about contaminated sites in Tu Nedhe. As we are all aware, there is a lot of resource activity in the Tu Nedhe riding. In fact, all the diamond mines and many other exploration activities currently underway are in Tu Nedhe. In addition, there are many sites within the community boundaries that must be cleaned up by various GNWT departments as soon as possible. Also, there are sites inside and outside the communities that must be cleaned up by the federal government.
The people of Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution want all the contaminated sites cleaned up using as much local labour as possible. There are 25 to 30 contaminated sites in and around the communities of Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution and I’d like to see the government tell me what the plan is moving forward.
As I’ve mentioned numerous times in this House, the small communities need work. The contractors in the small communities need contracts and the land around the communities must be remediated to an acceptable standard.
This government must begin working with the federal government so that a plan to address the contaminated sites is put to work. One of the areas I see the two governments working together on is in the area covered by the Interim Resource Management Agreement. This government must work closely with the federal government to increase funding in the Interim Resource Management Agreement so the money can have some real impacts in Tu Nedhe.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
