Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I asked a question in the House in terms of the long-term plans for ambulances, and I appreciated the response. My question is directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.
As you know, at this point we have increased industrial activity in the Sahtu, where we’re seeing large amounts of transporting of goods up to the Sahtu area; plus, at the same time, we have the bridge operable now on a 24-hour basis. So we are seeing increased activity of traffic on the highways.
My question is to the Minister of MACA. What emergency services are available now to assist when there’s a serious accident or fire along the highway outside the community boundaries? Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a government, we don’t have services going out on to the highways. In many cases the accidents or incidents that happen are taken care of by the community nearest the incident. It’s just the way thinking is in the Northwest Territories. We’re all good neighbours and if something happens, somebody is going to respond and take care of that incident first and then worry about compensation later. Thank you.
I would like to thank the Minister for that. As you know, travelling on the highway, you don’t have it full of neighbours along this. Usually you are alone travelling at your own risk. Could the Minister provide an update on the work MACA is doing in cooperation with Health and Social Services and Transportation on ground ambulance and highway fire emergency services and also in developing a policy legislative framework? Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct; we are doing some work with our colleagues over at Health and Social Services and Transportation, trying to come up with overarching work to cover all of the Northwest Territories.
As far as MACA goes, we do provide $200,000 to communities that want to apply for some of these services. It’s $200,000 divided amongst the number of communities that apply. So we do have that, but understand that that doesn’t really cover a lot of the issues facing drivers on the highway. We are working with Health and Social Services. We are looking at some numbers. It is going to be quite costly to implement a whole system right across the Northwest Territories. Those are options that we are putting together right now and I am sure, when the opportunity arises, we will have discussions with committee and also we will be hearing from the Northwest Territories Association of Communities on this issue too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I’d like to thank the Minister for the response. This matter goes back to the 16th Assembly and this matter continues to be at least an agenda item for a to-do list for the government.
Would the Minister agree that our highway communities need locally stationed ground ambulance and highway fire emergency vehicles and equipment and access to training for first responders? Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, one of the things that we wanted to do with some of the money that wasn’t taken up by the communities is use it as a training component to train members in the communities. Volunteer firemen would be a good choice and anyone in the community that wants to be qualified as first responders. I think that’s the initial step that we have to take, because they can have a shiny piece of new equipment there, but if they’re not qualified as a first responder, it is a huge liability. I think a lot of communities recognize that. They were very open to the training component of it and we’re looking forward to possibly rolling that out through the School of Community Government within MACA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Nadli.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to understand just what level of coordination and leadership this department is undertaking. Can the Minister advise when he and his colleagues will be able to bring forward a proposal for expanded ground ambulance services for consideration by standing committees in this House? Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, I knew I should be prepared for that: When? We are continuing to do the work. For me to tell you an exact date, I don’t think I’d be telling you the truth. I will commit to the Members that I will get the information and I will communicate it to the Members. Again, I know I should always be prepared for the fourth question: When? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.
