Debates of October 14, 2005 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to hear the Minister of MACA congratulate the people who deserve the awards during Fire Prevention Week. However, Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned about the recent house fire in Colville Lake. My heart goes out to Dora Duncan and her family and to the people of Colville Lake who could do nothing but stand around hopelessly as the house burned to the ground. People could do nothing as the house burned to the ground because there were no fire trucks, roads, or real fire extinguishers in the community for fires of that magnitude. There are only little fire extinguishers that were of no use for this fire. This is the sixth house in Colville Lake that burned to the ground in 10 years, Mr. Speaker.

When I look at the situation in New Orleans, we know the devastation brought on by hurricane Katrina and the carelessness of the government. At this time, I thought we were fortunate to live up here because I thought we could look after our people better than they did down South. Now, I am not so sure. I don’t understand why there is no fire prevention or firefighting equipment to be had in these remote and isolated communities. Housing is at a premium and expensive, too. How can we be so careless about people’s lives in their homes such as in Colville Lake? Mr. Speaker, I will have some questions to the appropriate Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you.

---Applause