Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Lands.
The NWT rumor mill was flying this weekend as the alarming events in Fort Smith unfolded, and my thoughts are with everyone there as they continue to cope with this tragedy. Can the Minister explain how, according to this rumor mill, guns from the Department of Lands ended up in the hands of the young perpetrator? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Minister responsible for Lands.
First of all, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the individual in Fort Smith who lost their life on Friday. Incidents like this shake a small community to its core, and it's a very has an impact on all of us across the Northwest Territories as we know most people there. It's more important now to remember that ever that we show kindness and compassion to our neighbours at this time.
In regards to the questions for the Member, all equipment on site in Fort Smith was securely and safely stored in adherence with the policies and legislation of this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since he's raised policies and procedures, about a few years ago there was a similar breakin at the Department of ENR in Fort Smith in which guns were taken. What lessons were learned from that incident, and were any updated safety measures or protocols provided to the Fort Smith lands office to prevent a similar occurrence there? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For that detail, I'll have to get back to the Member. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's concerning to me that that wasn't the first question asked by this Minister when this incident occurred. So does the Minister then confirm that those were the guns that were used in the incident in weekend? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I'm not going to talk about what's going on right now with the investigation but I can make a commitment once we have been advised from the RCMP that we're able to provide information, we will provide that information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just find this to be extremely concerning as well as the lack of information from any of Cabinet over the weekend about what was happening in Fort Smith.
Can the Minister please commit that the next time as anything is occurring that he actually notifies other Members that things are going on in this territory? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I reached out to the Member from Thebacha right away as soon as we found out what was going on. The Premier has reached out to the Member from Thebacha, the justice minister and the health Minister. So it was in her riding. We were understood of the situation. We worked with her. And I have to applaud the Member from Thebacha for the work that she did, the leadership in that community, including the RCMP. They took their roles and responsibilities sincerely. And we worked with the affected Member moving forward. We don't want to get out there spreading rumors until we have facts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
