Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. During my Member’s statement I raised many of the issues in Nahanni Butte that haven’t been completely restored or repaired in the community of Nahanni Butte as a result of the flood. I know that through MACA they have established a flood committee to address their concerns, but I would like to ask the Minister today what committee or process is in place to continue the community restoration one year after the flood.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right; there was a flood committee we had made. All the claims have come in and the recommended compensation. We have submitted a claim to Canada for reimbursement under their Disaster Assistance Program.
As far as the committee that’s together now to do the rest of the work, I don’t think there’s a committee per se. It’s probably the individual departments now working with the community.
I was very happy to be in Nahanni Butte for my spring visit there, and the community has advised me that the damages are still there. There is some work that hasn’t been done. The dump road. They’re going to have to look at increasing dust control and the cost for trying to get the radio station up and running. Those are the issues.
I’d like to ask the MACA Minister if he or his officials can meet with the community, because they’re looking at their own resources to repair these when, in fact, it should be under the purview of MACA and the Disaster Fund.
I will commit to the Member that we will have our officials meet with the leadership in Nahanni Butte to identify some of the work that still needs to happen. As well, the other departments. I know DOT is doing some work on their portion of it. I will make that commitment to the Member that we will get our officials in there to work with the leadership. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the Minister’s commitment. If he can also work with the Department of Transportation, because there is road access issues and, as well, it will probably be the same type of gravel that they need for the community, as well, if he can do that. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, we will work with the other department to see what assistance that we may be able to provide to the community, and I will commit to the Member that we will do that. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
