Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, due to the extensive flooding, many residents have been displaced from their homes with some staying with friends, some in hotels and motels, some in RVs, some in shelters, and some in tents. We are also hearing of residents moving out of the community for good.

It is now time to rebuild those homes and businesses impacted by flooding in the South Slave before we start to lose our residents and businesses due to lack of accommodation and supports. To do this, we need to provide financial supports immediately so rebuilding can commence.

Mr. Speaker, most...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, right now in Hay River one of the big issues is accommodation. I know there is an RFP out for accommodation; however, with the extent of the damage we're going to see contractors, you know, coming to town, and they're going to need places to stay. And, you know, with summer coming on, we've got government staff going in, you know, for whatever reasons. We have tourists coming in. And right now, you know, the hotels are probably, you know, and motels, are filled up with people who have been displaced.

So can the Minister confirm who has the responsibility to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these questions are for the Minister of MACA.

I've got a concern that, you know, with the extent of damage in Hay River, we're going to see an influx of contractors. You know, I suspect that a lot of them are going to be reputable and qualified, but we're going to have some flybynights, and I can see that costing us additional money at the end of the day.

So I'd ask the Minister, who is vetting contractors, or are we going to be vetting contractors to avoid the flybynights? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the level of damage to homes and property varies from minimal water damage to the complete loss of one's home.

Will the Minister confirm if the assessments in some way be prioritized to facilitate timely financial compensation to those most in need? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These questions are for the Minister of MACA.

Mr. Speaker, last weekend, I saw a convoy of Samaritan's Purse volunteers and equipment arrive in Hay River to assist those needing supports to evade flood damage. Prior to the arrival of Samaritan's Purse to Hay River, the Hay River Metis Government Council, the Hay River Old Timers Hockey Club, and many volunteers have been providing that assistance.

Other than volunteers, can the Minister confirm what is being done to support abatement efforts for those properties impacted by flooding and who is covering the cost? Thank...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This event was probably one of the bigger disasters in the Northwest Territories, if not the biggest. Does the Minister have any preliminary costs for the flooding disaster in the South Slave?

Myself, I guess I'm looking at the numbers, looking at what's happened, I'm pegging it at 80 plus million. So I'm just wondering if the department has anything. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to go back to timelines because, you know, that's a big concern for people is that, like, they've got their applications in. Some of them have had their assessments done already and, you know, they're looking for that, you know, that next step, and we haven't really had any timelines from the department. So I'd ask the Minister when can applicants expect a timeline with respect to claim approvals with approved amounts? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, victims of flooding are wanting to know what will be covered under DAP and if there are restrictions on who they can use as contractors.

Can the Minister confirm when residents will expect to see a standardized list of items with values and approved contractors? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently we have victims of the flood in the South Slave using up their savings while waiting on this government to provide some temporary financial assistance.

Can the Minister confirm what efforts are being made to assist those residents impacted by flooding with some temporary financial relief while they're waiting on assessments to be completed? Has this government identified funds to provide this assistance? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the number of people that have been impacted in Hay River and the surrounding area is fairly substantial. Some of them have actually taken on and done some of the work themselves in their house just to avoid, you know, advanced mold, you know, causing issues and that. So they've stripped the you know, their basements down and have done quite a bit of work.

Many have had their houses assessed already. And now the question that they've been asking, what's next. Like, do we have to wait a week, you know, a month, a year before we hear, you know, where we...