Debates of June 1, 2006 (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, the Honourable Michael McLeod. I just received notice that the community of Tulita is on water advisory notice and the water advisory has many facets, however one of the key indicators are the filters in the water plan system. Are there any backup filter systems in the small communities who may get these water advisory notices? How come these filters weren’t ready for the communities to be put in, so they wouldn’t have such an advisory given under the health centre? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 17-15(5): Backup Water Filter Systems For Tulita

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The community of Tulita has encountered some problems with the water treatment plant in the area of the filter clogging up. The community does not have a backup filter for this plant. However, it does still have the use of the old water plant that was left in place as the backup and the community is utilizing that facility. It does not have the filtration system that the new guidelines require. That’s why the community has issued the boil water warning. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 17-15(5): Backup Water Filter Systems For Tulita

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister inform the people in Tulita when they will be able to get these filters and where will these filters come from? Why didn’t they have the filters in place for such an emergency as this? Thank God for the old backup system in Tulita.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 17-15(5): Backup Water Filter Systems For Tulita

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will have the filter in the community as soon as we can. The filter has to come from outside of the country. It comes from the United States. We don’t have a filter system in place. It wasn’t an area we thought would be a great risk. We do have a backup system. The backup system is the old water plant and that’s what is being currently used. Nobody has really been cut off from the water supply. There is the inconvenience of the boil water advisory and it’s working well.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 17-15(5): Backup Water Filter Systems For Tulita

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, thank God for the old backup system, I guess. People in our communities have been using this water thousands of years. I don’t know why all of a sudden we have this boil water system. Anyhow, I want to ask the Minister, in terms of these filters in our water plant system, why are they so elaborate to have to order them from outside of Canada? It must cost quite a bit of dollars. Does the community of Tulita or hamlets that have a similar plant system, are they adequately financed to get this filter system and are they checked on a regular basis? There are a few questions there. Mr. Speaker, thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 17-15(5): Backup Water Filter Systems For Tulita

Mr. Speaker, the system in Tulita was designed and put in place at the time when this type of filtration system, this type of plant, was only available from the United States. We have been working with the community to look at what backups are required. The old plant is still there and we do also have a portable water pump in the event of both plants going down. We are discussing with the community on a plan to carry some backup material, filters and equipment, so that we can avoid the situation in the future. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 17-15(5): Backup Water Filter Systems For Tulita

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s good government, Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the Minister of Municipal Affairs, is the department willing to look at these filter systems? Is it the only one in the Northwest Territories or are there a number of filter systems like this in other communities to ensure that we have additional supplies of filters in our communities rather than rely on the old backup system. Sometimes that backup system needs major repair. Again, I want to ask the Minister in terms of an action plan that would be satisfactory to the people in Tulita. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 17-15(5): Backup Water Filter Systems For Tulita

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we will commit to doing that. We will have a discussion with Public Works and talk to the communities and see what some areas that may be requiring parts or filters that we should keep in the communities so we can avoid the situation. We will commit to doing that with all the communities in the Territories. Thank you.