Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister for that clarification here. My next question is in that same exchange, the Minister confirmed that his department will pause collections onto the lease rents arrears from the Indigenous recreational leaseholders. Can the Minister confirm what this means? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister for that reply here. On the continuation of my question, my last one, is that will the Minister provide a report on a spreadsheet format on the schedule for renovations in this project so I can have something to share with my constituent community? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my questions on the Fort Good Hope arena status. The community of the Dene organization is leading the project and actively working on it. The Department of MACA has assisted where possible, including funding and developing the scope of work and estimated costs to have this building and facility completed. Can the Minister provide an operational update on the progress of this facility and the construction scheduling? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the motion, I can only not being from a community that was directly impacted, I could only imagine, and I can't say any more than what was already said by my colleagues. When I look around this room, the majority of the leaders here represent communities that seen flames. And from the Sahtu, looking at the outside looking in, the pictures that I've seen on social media throughout the summer and into the fall is so harsh or so dramatic or so devastating to put it into words, and when I hear stories of a vehicle stopping at the flames and the ladies putting their head...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 18th year anniversary for the Bear River Bridge application from the Department of Transportation to the Sahtu Land and Water Board dated February the 22nd, 2006. It is a historic annual on the Sahtu determination. The milestones continue in collaboration between the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and the Government of the Northwest Territories on the $140 million infrastructure funding announcement dated June 2018.

Mr. Speaker, this determination continued by witnessing the April 2019 signing of the memorandum of understanding for both...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement on holdover fires aka zombie fires, my first question to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, in preparation for the upcoming 2024 summer fire season what is the Department of ECC doing to assess holdover fires in our territory? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister for that response.

Moving on to my next question, I'm glad to see that there is a monitoring assessment and an inventory of these holdover fires in the different locations across the territory. In particular, I've heard remarks made to me on several sites along the winter road south of Tulita, so if the Minister could put that on the radar for assessment.

My next question is is there communications underway with each community on the assessment and inventory catalog to the holdover fires close to the communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, holdover fires is inevitable in many parts of the Northwest Territories, a harsh reminder of last summer's wildfire disasters. NWT residents not only remember; they never forgot the devastation and most importantly losses. It is unimaginable the trauma that family displacements left with direct losses.

Mr. Speaker, these fires smolder through the winter only to return in the spring and are becoming a huge cause for concern amongst researchers and fire managers. Mr. Speaker, as of January the 1st, Alberta wildfires is reporting 51 active wildfires in the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question to the Minister on the subject here is I'm very glad that there's a working relationship, more importantly communication with the department and the communities so the community leaders could feel very comfortable and safe as we approach the summer months here.

My next question is, is the department working to upgrade the emergency response plans in each community? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When?