Madam Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the hon. member for Yukon on behalf of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development concerning contamination at the Marwell tar pit within the city of Whitehorse.
The site is not under the administration and control of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. The land has been under the control of the Government of Yukon since 1965-66.
In 1994 the department worked in partnership with both territorial and city of Whitehorse officials to assess the site in question. As part of the assessment process, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development funded two pilot studies investigating the effectiveness and feasibility of each of the two remediation options identified. This work was funded under the Arctic environmental strategy which was established in part to assist communities with issues such as this.
Departmental officials in Yukon have and will continue to offer expertise and assistance to territorial and community officials in assessing and remediating contaminated sites within Yukon. The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in conjunction with an established public policy advisory group will address agreed upon priorities within the constraints of available funds.
Finally, the Government of Canada recognizes that the north is a dynamic and important part of Canada. That is why we work closely with our partners in a broad range of initiatives affecting the environmental, political and economic aspirations of northerners. That is why the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development will continue in its efforts to address environment issues in Yukon.