Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as follow-up to my Member's statement, I have a few questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Mr. Speaker, I would like to the ask the Minister how our plans for pre-suppression activities, like fuelbreaks, are prioritized? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have been working with the communities to update their firebreak plans. The Member pointed out before, quite correctly, that the last one, I believe, was done in 2012. They are working with the communities now to update their fire protection plans. I know for a fact they are going to be up in the Member's community this summer working with them to evaluate the fuelbreaks that are there and see if they can take ways to mitigate them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As I mentioned in my statement, the community did put forward a proposal, which was so close to being approved, but then things got so busy with the fires down in this area. What resources are available for communities to implement their community wildland fire protection plans?
I think if there is some need within the community, I believe, through the money that we provide to the communities there are opportunities there. ENR is working to identify funding that might be made available to communities with their fuelbreak. We were growing a forest full of trees but they went up in the great fire of 2014.
What steps does Fort McPherson need to take to get its fuelbreaks completed, or start doing the work this year?
As I said before, our focus will be in the Member's riding this summer working with them to identify some of their needs as far as fuelbreaks go and then work with them. Again, ENR has committed to try to identify any types of funding that we might be able to provide if there is a need for it.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the last couple of years the department has had in the neighbourhood of $50 to $60 million each year, so I am sure that the department can find some funds available. Moving forward, would the department set aside some funds for communities throughout the territory to complete their firebreaks to protect their communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member talks about resources. My comment before was actually our forest full of money trees that went up in smoke in 2014 to the tune of over $50 million, so we have been fairly challenged. We recognize the importance of fuelbreaks. That is why we are going into communities, working with the communities to update all their fire protection plans and evaluate what condition their fuelbreaks are in, and if there are opportunities, identify some resources to put towards that.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
