Debates of May 26, 2004 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement I indicated the importance of the community freezers in the communities, as voiced by the residents of Paulatuk and Holman. They are concerned about the storage of their wild meat and their wild game this spring and summer if funding is not made available. My question is to the honourable Minister Brendan Bell, Minister of RWED, on whether he will direct his department to dig half way into their pockets to find the necessary funds for the continued maintenance and operation for the 2004-2005 season? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 137-15(3): Community Freezers In Paulatuk And Holman

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me first preface my comments by saying that this government supports and recognizes how important the harvesting of country foods are to small communities, and we're supportive of traditional lifestyles and we recognize and acknowledge in past times it was very important to have this critical piece of community infrastructure, community freezers, in our more remote communities that weren't accessible by highway, Mr. Speaker. Times are changing. We've looked at divesting ourselves of these pieces of infrastructure, and we've done that through Public Works and Services. They have essentially been turned over to most communities. Most communities have had a choice to either take the freezer at no cost and continue to pay for the O and M, but that's not our advisable choice. In most cases the other option that has been presented is one of providing chest freezers to all members of the community. Most communities have taken us up on that offer, and we think that that is the most prudent course. Community freezers are very expensive to operate, they're old pieces of infrastructure, they aren't efficient, and there are potential health concerns because of the age of the freezers. We know that the situation, I believe, in Holman has been rectified. They have chosen to carry on with the O and M of the asset themselves. If that's their choice, then we support that. But I would ask again and make the offer again to the people of Paulatuk and hope that they would be receptive to the idea of having us provide chest freezers. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 137-15(3): Community Freezers In Paulatuk And Holman

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks for the answer, Mr. Minister. Once again, it has been very clear from Paulatuk that the community freezers that they presently have are very important to them. When I was in Paulatuk we did discuss about the chest freezers, as you mentioned, but at the present time they find the community freezer a vital component of their daily lives. It is important for them to utilize a facility like that. Once again, could the Minister at least guarantee funds for this season for them to continue using that community freezer? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 137-15(3): Community Freezers In Paulatuk And Holman

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In many cases community freezers were not being well utilized anymore, and I know that the Member knows his riding well, and the Member’s insistence that Paulatuk residents do need this piece of infrastructure is one that I am listening to, but, Mr. Speaker, we think there are more cost effective options. We are truly concerned that because of the age of this piece of infrastructure that if it continues to operate in the manner it’s operating, there could be a situation where the power goes down, members of the community are not aware, food spoilage happens, and the community could get very, very sick. That is certainly not something we want to see. We would encourage the community to look at chest freezers. Maybe what I would propose, if it would be acceptable to the Member, is that I come to his riding and sit down with the leadership of the community, and we discuss the concerns that we have in terms of the health risks of operating this piece of infrastructure, and talk about the actual O and M cost going forward to keep this aging piece of infrastructure running. I think it is something like $17,000 a month in the summer to run the freezer. I think there are more cost-effective options. So I would make that offer to the Member. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 137-15(3): Community Freezers In Paulatuk And Holman

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are planning to make a trip to my riding of Paulatuk, Holman and Sachs next month. You are more than welcome to come along with us, your invitation is always open. So you will hear verbally, firsthand exactly what the people of Paulatuk want with regard to the community freezer. It is a situation right now where, like I said in my Member’s statement, the weather is getting very warm right now, the geese are flying, they just recently got caribou that came by, and they are concerned about the storage of their wild meat. So at this present time, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister guarantee the funds to be available to maintain at least for the 2004-2005 season? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 137-15(3): Community Freezers In Paulatuk And Holman

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize that it is soon getting warm. I think the community has been in discussions with our department for some time. This is not something that was sprung on the community, and I do believe that if the community made the decision to run the piece of infrastructure and operate the freezer as a stopgap measure they could do so, and we can sit down then when I go up there to discuss going forward, how we deal with it, and deal with this season as well. I would be prepared to do that when I visit the community. Thank you.