Statements in Debates
Yeah, thanks, Madam Chair. So I see that there's it looks like there's a new air quality monitoring trailer in Norman Wells and something called a gas chromatograph which, I guess, can be used to identify the gases that make up samples. But I'm just kind of curious what's our monitoring air quality monitoring network look like now, and are we contemplating any changes as a result of the horrendous fire season we had? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Merci, Madam la Presidente. Committee wishes to Consider Bills 29, 77, and 82, and Tabled Document 97319(2), Capital estimates 20242025. Mahsi.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. I believe he's quite sincere, and I do appreciate his efforts on that front, so.
I believe it is time, though, Mr. Speaker, to start to think about lessons learned about a fire and emergency management from these evacuations. There should be an independent third-party public review, and I think one of the options that needs to be considered is the Public Inquiries Act. But I'd like to know from the Minister whether Cabinet has a position and a direction on such a review of fire and emergency management. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I'm sure the Minister recognizes that I'm going to keep fighting for better support for the evacuees. But during my statement, I recognized that it was quite an accomplishment to evacuate most Yellowknife residents safely over a very short period of time. However, there can and should be improvements made to how we work together with Indigenous governments, including legislative and policy changes. So can the Minister tell us how GNWT intends to work better with Indigenous governments in the future on emergency management? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Premier. With regard to the recent evacuations and adequacy of government supports, it's my understanding that evacuation costs are eligible up for up to 90 percent reimbursement under the federal guidelines for the disaster financial assistance arrangements. Page 19, eligible response costs include temporary relocation, shelter, food, clothing, rescue, transportation, and related social and inquiry services. End of quote.
So can the Premier confirm whether evacuation costs for NWT residents, including any GNWT initiatives such as the...
Thanks, Madam Chair. I have law clerk Toby Kruger sitting next to me who helped me develop and draft the bill. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Thanks for the opportunity to offer opening remarks on Bill 29.
I just, first, want to thank the law clerk who assisted with the research, drafting instructions, and legal advice in preparing the bill. I want to also acknowledge the work of the Department of Justice staff who assisted with the drafting of the bill. And I also want to acknowledge the separation of my role on the committee and as sponsor of the bill. I always declared a conflict of interest if the bill was discussed at committee.
Madam Chair, I'm going to take a few minutes to actually go through a number...
Merci, Monsieur le President. I have five following documents to table: Letter from MLA Frame Lake to Intergovernmental council Secretariat regarding Bill 29 dated July 14th, 2023; second one, Mr. Speaker, Letter from MLA Frame Lake to NonIntergovernmental Council Indigenous Governments regarding Bill 29 dated July 14th, 2023; Information and Privacy Commissioner Review Report and Order dated May 26th, 2023; ITI Decision Letter dated June 26th, 2023, Observations on ITI ATIPP Meeting Summaries (revised August 2023); and lastly, Mr. Speaker, revised GNWT Chamber of Mines Meeting Summaries with...
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. So given that most of the evacuation costs are reimbursed well, I just don't understand why our support programs haven't been a little more generous and fairer. So I've received numerous complaints about the unfairness and inadequacy of the Evacuation Travel Support Program. So can the Premier tell us whether Cabinet is ready to reconsider the scope and amount of the current program and better support our residents that were evacuated? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.