Yellowknife (Mar 10/03) - North Slave MLA Leon Lafferty called a point of order on Friday, saying it was unfair members were allowed to discuss harmonization (the controversial plan to streamline income support and social housing programs) because the issue had been put forward as a motion.

"We are restricted on this side to deal with an issue that's before the House," Lafferty said. "But on that side," he said signalling to the minister responsible for education, culture and employment, Jake Ootes, "it seems they are free to do what they want."

Deputy speaker David Krutko said, "I think it must be a full moon," adding that Lafferty did not have a point of order. "The minister was not speaking to the motion on the agenda. He was answering a question from a member."

Water woes

On Monday, Mackenzie Delta MLA David Krutko asked Health Minister Michael Miltenberger what is being done about THMs (trihalomethanes, chemical compounds formed when water containing natural organic matter is chlorinated) reported in the water supply in Fort McPherson.

"They've had THMs in their water for four-and-a-half years," Krutko said. Pointing to "major lawsuits being filed across Canada," with regards to THM-related health problems such as birth defects, cancer and miscarriages, Krutko asked the minister if his department was conducting "a thorough review on THMs."

"What assurance can this government give to the people of Fort McPherson?" Krutko asked.

Miltenberger said his department is aware of the issue and concerns are "high."

But according to an environmental health study conducted Jan. 17, THMs in the Fort McPherson area are "now within acceptable limits," he said.

Krutko followed up with a request that Premier Stephen Kakfwi ensure the health minister is approaching the THM study as a "priority."

"It's our responsibility to support our ministers," Kakfwi said.

"We will support the minister and make sure he does (the study) in a comprehensive way."

The health minister is "constantly" advised by Health Canada, Kakfwi added.

Kakfwi said that he would ensure the minister has conducted a THM review by June when the session reconvenes.

"We will pull together the information," Miltenberger said.

No harmony

The plan to combine the income support and public housing programs, known as harmonization, has gripped members and has been taking up more time on the floor of the House.

"I have never seen a policy with this much discord this close to implementation," said Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee on Monday.

David Krutko said that in an election year, the government is committing no less than "political suicide" by forging ahead with a plan that has so many problems.

Krutko outlined his concerns with a story of a single mother with five children. Under harmonization her rent in public housing will almost double because she receives a child-care payment from the father of her children.

Members of the assembly who represent small, mostly aboriginal communities stressed that harmonization won't work. Tu Nedhe MLA Steven Nitah said the "scariest" issue for him is that flawed government policies, like harmonization, "force people into larger centres. Diversity will disappear. We won't have smaller communities."