Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Can the Minister explain what is included in Community Wildfire Protection Plans, and why it is so important for community members to participate in updating these plans? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Environment and Natural Resources has a program called FireSmart adopted in the Northwest Territories with risk management strategies, and it includes in these mitigating wildfire threats according to the following seven disciplines: fuel management, education, legislation, development, planning, and training. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the Minister for his very terse and brief reply.
---Laughter
The people of Enterprise are particularly concerned about the forest fire protection for their community. I understand that communities forecasted to have the highest impact from wildfires are given the highest priority. When will the Community Wildfire Protection Plan for Enterprise be updated?
ENR will be reviewing these plans coming beginning this April. Risk assessment and fieldwork will commence thereafter. The new plans will be redeveloped and based on existing plans and new data inputs. All plans will be completed by Environment and Natural Resources, and assistance of the affected communities and other departments will begin thereafter with the GNWT.
How does the Environment and Natural Resources department plan to engage the public in information and planning sessions for wildfire protection plans and other forest fire preparedness activities?
Environment and Natural Resources will assist in developing the project proposals for limited hazards and risk mitigation work for non-critical communities and areas, including the allocation of limited financial support depending on community priorities and available-to-ENR resources. We also do reach out to the general public and communities through our website and the nwtfire.com Facebook page.
Masi. Member for Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What is Environment and Natural Resources doing to help the people, the Deh Cho, and the Northwest Territories FireSmart their homes and cabins for the coming season? Masi.
As I previously said, we will be updating our plan in April 2016 of this year and we will be talking to all communities and people in the Northwest Territories.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
