Ronald Bonnetrouge
Statements in Debates
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 112)
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. And mahsi to the Minister.
We all know that on the yearly basis, we're getting floods, whether it's in different communities but there's still a flood zone. Hay River has been impacted every year, and all I wanted was the Minister's department to be the lead to help all these communities who are financially strapped for resources to be the lead monitor. Because as I mentioned before, like KFN, it was about 10:30, 11 o'clock at night they sounded the siren. It was dark by then. You know, there should have been actions taken before that. And if MACA had stepped up to the plate...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 112)
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the MACA minister, which is Municipal and Community Affairs, and it's related to my statement on the flood situation at K’atl’odeeche First Nations.
It is appreciated that MACA, Health and Social Services, and possibly other departments, were on top of the evacuations of the residents in finding accommodations and providing meals.
Can the Minister advise if this will be evacuation preparations for any future flooding in K’atl’odeeche First Nations, Hay River, and other communities? Mahsi.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 112)
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi to the Minister for that. Mr. Speaker, I believe the departments are still tallying up costs related to the last year's flooding at Jean Marie River and Fort Simpson. We are aware the GNWT has footed the bill for new builds for Jean Marie River. K’atl’odeeche First Nations riverfront homes have been damaged by the flooding and quite possibly are uninhabitable.
Will the Minister commit to replacing the damaged homes on the K’atl’odeeche First Nations? Mahsi.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 112)
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. And mahsi to the Minister for that answer.
Mr. Speaker, it is a daunting task for any community to monitor for the changes in river ice flow, ice jamming, melting snow, unknowns such as the perfect storm situation as was the case at the Fox Barns, Paradise Gardens, West Point First Nations, West Channel, Hay River, K’atl’odeeche First Nations, including the Old Village.
Can the Minister commit to being the lead department for monitoring, providing warning systems, and working with the communities for possible flood conditions at all known flood zones? Mahsi.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 112)
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, welcome back to the House.
Mr. Speaker, Wednesday, May 11th, 2022, will be a day many residents of K’atl’odeeche First Nation and the Town of Hay River will remember for a long time. The waters the Hay River had been consistently rising during the day and into the evening. Chief April Martel had posted a Facebook video showing the water levels creeping inland at the community arbor area. It had come in about a thousand feet inland from the arbor and the arbor is close to the riverbank. Water was affecting many homes near the riverbanks and was, in fact, moving...