Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yeah, we all know the extent of the damage caused by flooding in Hay River and the reserve and in outlying parts of the area as well. And, you know, we were fortunate enough to get the pathway the pathfinders in and the assessors in in a timely manner, and they did a great job. They were set up in Hay River. They were set up in the arena. A lot of people, you know, attended the arena. And as far as I know, there's approximately 300 applications at this point.

So, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of MACA confirm where the department is with receiving...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, some of the people have actually had insurance, and I know some of the insurance companies have actually already stroked cheques for some of the residents who have been impacted. And so it's people that are going to be relying on government assistance through the DAP, you know, are wondering, you know, how soon they're going to see money and to provide DAP support.

And there's a lot of people just don't have the funds sitting in their bank account to proceed.

So I'd ask the Minister, you know, when can people expect to see those advance payments and how are...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand that in talking with the pathfinders and the assessors is that they were will probably be out of Hay River at end of this week. At least the pathfinders. The assessors may be in there a little bit longer.

So I'd ask the Minister to confirm, you know, how long the pathfinders will actually be in Hay River and the assessors as well. And once they do leave, there will be some people who probably have not registered, so how will those people contact a pathfinder to register? Will we have somebody stationed in Hay River on a temporary basis? Thank...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, homes, businesses, and infrastructure in the Town of Hay River, K’atl’odeeche, West Point First Nation, along with a home in Enterprise and one at Riverwood’s subdivision, were severely impacted by flooding, with what may well be unprecedented levels of ice and water for the area.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the effort and action by the Hay River emergency measures organization for the work they did to ensure all residents were evacuated safely with no loss of life.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to the EMO, it is important to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we hear that, you know, people are considering leaving the NWT and we, and I know of some people that have left because of the cost of living.

Is the department tracking the number of residents living the NWT due to the cost of living? And can the Minister commit to providing those numbers as well? Thank you.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion?

The motion is on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and nondebatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

Carried

I will now rise and report progress.

Thank you, Madam Premier. Okay, I just ruled on that Point of Order. And again, I would ask the Member to apologize and withdraw those comments. And again, I recognize that it is a very passionate subject and I caution everyone to, you know, to be careful in the language they're using and, you know, try and keep things factual. Thank you. Mr. Johnson.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried.

Carried

Ms. Cleveland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess what I am trying to get at is, you know, people are struggling in the communities. And so what can this community do to lower the cost of living for residents considering other jurisdictions are taking actions to offset some of the costs? Thank you.