Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once the assessors do their job and the information is gathered, who will be responsible for working with those businesses and persons who had structure and equipment damage by the fire? Will it be Pathfinders; who will it be? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, you know, it's important, I think that I think that we as government, and the future government, really take a look at what happened here in this last few years because when you look at what happened with the flooding and also with the fires now, the impact it had. It had for Hay River, it impacted the fishing industry. For communities along the waterways, it impacted access to their cargo. You know, it just goes on and on. It you know, basically it really impacted businesses, individuals, health people's health, everything. So I think it's very important that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's good to hear that we do have some programs. It's not a lot of money because for Hay River and, you know, Enterprise and K'atlodeeche, you know, we've been through, you know, three major events here in the last 15 months, and it's really taken its impact it's really impacting businesses. So I think we have to take another look at that. But anyways, Mr. Speaker, I'd ask the Premier if any requests have gone into the federal government for additional financial support for businesses impacted by the wildfires; if so, and what has the response been? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd first like to say Happy Birthday to my son R.J.

Mr. Speaker, over the summer, wildfires in the North South Slave Region destroyed homes, businesses, and community infrastructure which will have a longlasting effect on the emotional and mental wellbeing of residents of Hay River, K'atlodeeche First Nation, and Enterprise.

Mr. Speaker, many of us have seen firsthand the devastation in Enterprise, Hay River, and K'atlodeeche, and along the highway where cabins were lost due to these wildfires. Residents are asking, could more have been done to get the fires...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank the mover and the seconder of the bill as well because I think it does have merit. As far as I'm concerned, Indigenous participation is important and paramount when it comes to protection of our land, forests, and communities. However, Mr. Speaker, for me, at this time, knowing what's taken place in Hay River, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife, I don't think it's appropriate to change this piece of legislation at this point without consultation from all Indigenous governments. Some thought has to be put into this, and it's probably something...

In favour.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I appreciate the answer and I'm, you know, pleased to hear, I guess, you know, that the local governments and municipalities are on the radar of this government for some form of reimbursement or assistance as well. But, you know, the cost of firefighting or the cost of fighting these wildfires, we know, they take a toll not only on this government, but the people of the NWT as well, to the point that I'm hearing now that some of our residents will not return.

The Minister also stated that the Premier discussed costs with the Prime Minister. Can she confirm if there...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the Member for Yellowknife North had asked for a high-level breakdown of costs. And I'd like to see that include what went out to local, regional, territorial, and businesses outside the NWT as well because this is something is this something, I guess, that the Minister can be provided? Because firefighting, really, in when we look at it is beneficial to part of our local and regional and territorial economy, and I think that, you know, when we're looking at it as much as, you know, we you know, we don't want to see fires because of the destruction they...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. And that's all.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, I just want to, I guess, a couple comments and, you know you know, the Minister's now asking and this government's asking for another $75 million to continue with the fires, you know, the firefighting efforts going on, and rightfully so. There's a lot of work going on to you know, to support the you know, the firefighters, you know, there's probably cost of equipment and the support to those at the front lines as well. And I think this is just a start of what the ask will be. But, again, you know, I understand as well is that, you know, there's no asking here...