Statements in Debates
For camps to be established in the NWT, in most instances, there are inspections and permitting required. I would ask the Premier: were the fire marshal, WSCC, health, electrical, and gas inspectors provided advance notice that the camp at the border was to be installed? For the safety of the employees, has the process for installation of camps been followed, or is it not required in this instance? As well, I would ask the Premier: if these shelters that they have out there are not sufficient, will the Premier consider replacing them with self-contained modular units?
I thank the Premier for that answer, and I am glad that she is looking to companies out of Hay River because there are a lot of camp shacks sitting in Hay River, a lot of equipment sitting there that could do the job. The other issue that I have is with respect to camp services. You have water delivery, sewer pump-outs. You need diesel and propane delivery. You need snow clearing, fueling of generators and heaters, communication. I am asking the Premier: was or will these services be tendered out, as well?
[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...
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...
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. The RCMP and police, in general, have been receiving bad press lately. This is disturbing when we consider the good work they do which never gets reported. Mr. Speaker, not only are our RCMP officers paid less than provincial counterparts, a past Auditor General report confirms that RCMP are understaffed and, because of it, receive adequate training. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister confirm what the department is doing to ensure our complement of officers in the NWT meet our needs in the North and that they are adequately trained? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'd ask the Minister: what is the average time for drug trafficking production, importing, exporting, to move through the justice system?