Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to thank the department for reinstating the fire crew in Tsiigehtchic. It was out of commission for a few years. It started last year, but people are working there once again, and I would like to thank them. I would also like to ask the Minister, how is the department using this unusual quiet month to prepare the rest of the fire season?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are a follow up to my Member’s statement for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. As I mentioned in my Member statement, in 2014, the community of Fort McPherson put in a proposal for the fire break for the community, as it is in the approval process. Then the NWT was hit with recordbreaking fires that year. I would like to ask the Minister: what is the status of work towards building a fire break in Fort McPherson? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister: will the community of Fort McPherson have to submit another proposal or will the department just act on the proposal that they had in 2014? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know the latest NWTAC's meeting as well, they're in full support of preparing all our communities for with fire breaks and doing their part as well. I'd also like to ask the Minister: Tsiigehtchic's 2010 community wildland fire protection plan recommends a building of a new break. What is the status of that project as well?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the forest fire season of 2014 is still strong in the memory of NWT residents. The GNWT spent $59 million fighting fires that year. Last year's fire season was also demanding, the second worst on record. We are also aware of the recent wildfire that caused evacuation of Fort McMurray destroying ten per cent of the city. While the residents of Fort McMurray are slowly being allowed to return to their homes, that wildfire is still burning out of control at more than 550,000 hectares. Here in the Northwest Territories, the 2016 season hasn't been busy as the...

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Any further questions, Mr. Simpson?

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Anything further, Ms. Green?

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Minister, would you like to bring witnesses into the Chamber?

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Ms. Green, any further questions?

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Ms. Turner.