Rocky Simpson

[English translation not available] ...check point was initially set up at Enterprise. The reasoning, I assume, was to have something in place immediately. Eventually, with some persuasion, reflection, and evaluation, the COVID task force concluded that the appropriate location for the check point would be at the border. In my mind, that was the correct decision then and remains so today.

Mr. Speaker, staff, while at Enterprise, were in a position to travel home after each shift. This was not the case when the check point was subsequently relocated to the border. The border setup with the...

We are dealing with electrical, fuel, and propane equipment. Some of these components require tradespeople when things go sideways. Are those persons, whether it be staff or contractors, qualified to provide the camp maintenance service if there are even camp maintenance services available? My understanding is that we are expecting those monitoring the border to provide some or all of those functions. This just does not make sense to me, so I am just asking the Premier what the department is doing to ensure that those services are provided in a safe manner and that we have got qualified people...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Premier and I differ on types of camps that should be at the border. She comes from a mining background, and I'm from the other side of the tracks, which is oil and gas. We are used to something fairly comfortable.

I've been getting complaints and concerns about the accommodation at the border, and partly because it is a tent-type facility similar to a weather haven facility. I understand the camp will be there for the rest of the winter. Just to alleviate some of the concerns by the people that are staying there because they're talking about possibly...

Can the Minister confirm what supports those impacted under an event declared as an emergency can expect from this government? Is there financial support for rebuilding and flood-proofing?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm planning to return to Hay River this weekend, and my constituents told me in no uncertain terms, "If you don't get answers on this matter, don't come back." I will ask for support from the Minister of MACA because I adore the community of Hay River and want to return home tonight. What happened to our shoreline this fall is a very serious matter, and my constituents want answers with solutions and commitments from this government. Can the Minister of MACA tell me what it would take for her department to consider an event as an emergency under the Emergency...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister confirm that her department will commit to working with the Department of Lands, West Point First Nation, Hay River Metis Government Council, and the Town of Hay River to develop a plan to secure the perimeter of the lake in the town of Hay River, to address this issue in order to avoid future flooding and damage? We need this work done before next spring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Can the Minister confirm what triggers an event to be deemed as an emergency and to commence action to deal with it? Using the Hay River flooding caused by the high water and wind as an example, what is the process and what action was taken in this instance?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every year during spring, the town of Hay River prepares for flooding, although the town has not experienced flooding as it did in 1963, which forced the relocation of many to higher ground. The flooding that year caused such devastation to the West Channel and Old Town that homes were damaged and residents were forced to relocate to what is now the New Town. This year, as in other years, the town was once again prepared. Luckily, flooding never occurred, and the residents and their homes were spared. However, this fall this has been different. The Hay River and Great...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm just going to make some comments, and I don't really need any response to save time. When I look at the budget, it kind of reminds me of when I go into a grocery store while hungry. I come back out, and I end up with a whole bunch of spoiled food. At the same time, I realize that we have to do something, and the reality of the North is that we do have limited resources here with respect to businesses and workers. We keep saying that we want Northern businesses to get all the work, we want all our people to be working. We do have enough, there is enough in here to...

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police proposed diverting people dealing with substance abuse or addiction issues away from the criminal justice system towards social services and healthcare. Can the Minister confirm that this is an approach the department agrees with, and if so, has it been put into practice?