It relates to the community-based monitoring program. We've been talking about community-based monitoring numerous times at different tables in order to raise this issue. Regardless of the health issues in Fort Chipewyan and the extensive development in the region, it was only apparent to us that we needed to conduct a community-based monitoring program in the community of Fort Chipewyan when all of the issues were coming out.
As I said earlier, in order for us to conduct our findings to give solutions to the problems it's only adequate that we provide fair information to the public. Without funding in place, we cannot do that. We wanted to take samples of water, sediment, vegetation, air quality, and food from the wild game in the region to conduct our findings and to pick a certain area where we thought the problems could be occurring. If we came up with findings, then we would look at a methodology to try to find a solution to fix the problem. That was the reason we pushed for it.
Somewhere along the line, there was the misconception that we were trying to dig up findings for legal action in the future. The only reason legal action is being considered for the future is that nothing is being done at this point in time in regards to the issues. When nothing is being done and we feel we're being neglected, what other means do we have to turn to? We have no other means but to turn to the court system.
That's why we need the community-based monitoring program. We need to train our people to monitor certain areas. When I talk about monitoring, I'm talking about picking an area and constantly using that area for three years. You cannot pick one area, then walk away from it, and then go and pick another area, because you will not then know what is happening on a year-to-year basis in the first area. Different areas will have different findings, and so you have to keep going back. That's how you do your analysis and that's how scientists do their analysis today.
We use the format of providing general information. You don't have to be rocket scientist to develop proper guidelines; all you need is common sense, and we all have common sense. When we neglect common sense, the problems start here, there, and everywhere. Therefore, I can speak to community-based monitoring.
I think Chief Marcel, or Georges, could elaborate more on the health issues.