Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the flooding that happened in Hay River last year was devastating to many. We saw some people lose their homes, businesses, incomes. We've seen the impact on mental health, physical health, and quality of life. In each of these items each of these areas come with a cost financially, emotionally, physically, and mentally. And as well, Mr. Speaker, the building season in Hay River is short so it's very important that the Minister and his department connect with those parties that I mentioned in my statement because they need to get after their solutions to mitigate, you know, current and future damages.
So, Mr. Speaker, will the or does the Minister or will the Minister confirm does the federal government's disaster financial assistance arrangements allow for property acquisitions, and if so, what portion is federally funded? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for MACA.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the federal DFAA program allows for acquisitions of property through a buyout. Disaster assistance reimbursement is provided to all provincial and territorial governments, including the GNWT, based on a sliding scale. All jurisdictions are responsible to pay any costs over what is reimbursed by the federal government. Historically the GNWT has been reimbursed for its disaster costs between 70 to 85 percent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, has the Minister considered property acquisitions as a mitigation option for Hay River residents, and who would be responsible for purchasing the properties; would it be the GNWT or community government? In some of the areas we're talking about leased land and titled land. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT Disaster Assistance Policy does not have a provision for buyouts but there is existing provisions that achieve similar results. The decision on whether to rebuild in the same location or a different location is one that is made by the property owner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, has the Minister's department given consideration on how property acquisition costs would be calculated if we were to proceed with them? Would it be based on fair market value or similar to what is currently being done under DAP. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With anticipated increase in climate changedriven disasters, the GNWT and other provincialterritorial governments are exploring buyout options but this approach has significant implications for communities and residents and further policy work will need to be undertaken in consultation with community governments in this approach. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's important that this government connect with the people that have been impacted because they're sitting back there, and they are dealing with Pathfinders and other people as well, who are doing a great job, but at the end of the day they want to be able to hear from the Minister, hear from, you know, deputy ministers as well.
So will the Minister commit to a facetoface meeting with those residents of Paradise Valley and the Riverview drive property residents to hear concerns and solutions on how to move these files forward? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Municipal and Community Affairs staff have been and continue to communicate and meet with residents of Paradise Gardens and the Riverview Drive as assess their options. Given that the sensitivity and confidential nature of the financial consideration of these discussions with individuals, this is normally an operational matter that's better addressed by residents with Municipal and Community Affairs directly. However, in saying this, I've received a number of letters from residents in those two locations, and as well with numerous conversations with the MLA from Hay River North and Hay River South about the importance of me getting in there and having that opportunity to meet with them, so I will agree to meet with the individuals and with the Member both MLAs from Hay River North and Hay River South, and we're trying to do it mid April. So we will work with both MLAs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
