Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I come to you with a message of great concerns regarding our waters. As we speak, the Slave water system, which is a lifeline for many small communities in our region, is facing serious threats of downstream water contamination originating in Alberta. This contamination is a result of industrial development and has the potential to cause irreparable harm to our environment, our economy and, most importantly, the health of our people in the Tu NedheWiilideh riding and all residents of the Northwest Territories as downstream users.
The current transboundary agreement between the Government of the Northwest Territories and Alberta lacks the regulatory means to address this issue. This means that we are at the mercy of those who are polluting our waters system south of the 60th Parallel and the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act only addresses the commercial development north of 60 in the Northwest Territories.
We cannot allow this to continue. We need to take action, and we need to take action now. The Government of the Northwest Territories must lead a campaign with the federal government and provincial governments to create a national water strategy that ensures Canada's water system is protected for our future generation against any potential harmful effects as a result of industry development. We need to come together and demand that all government takes this issue seriously.
Our water is not just a resource; it's a fundamental right for all Canadians. And it goes without saying that for Indigenous people, water is life. Without it, communities cannot thrive and our way of life will be lost. We cannot allow harmful effects caused by industrial polluters south of the 60th parallel to threaten our health and wellbeing in my riding of Tu NedheWiilideh and all residents of the Northwest Territories.
I urge you to all join me in the fight. Let us make our voices heard and demand that our government take the necessary steps today to protect the water system with the Government of Canada. Let us work together to ensure that our children and our children's children can enjoy the same clean and healthy water that we have today. I will have questions for the Minister of ENR at the appropriate time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
