Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, the GNWT recently completed broad public engagement on climate change mitigation emissions reduction. Any update to the approach to emissions target in the NWT will be part of the renewed climate change action plan and energy strategy in 2025. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

For that detail, I'll ask Ms. Bard to with your permission, I'll get Ms. Bard to answer that question. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. With me today is Dr. Erin Kelly, deputy minister of environment and climate change. On my right, Julian Kanigan, assistant deputy minister of environment management monitoring and climate change. On my left, and behind me, is Laura Jeffrey, legislation counsel. Thank you, Madam Chair.

For that detail, I'll turn to Dr. Kelly. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, other people use words that may or may not be what we're talking about. But the NWT is on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions target though we acknowledge that this is in part due to the mine closure. GNWT departments are working with partners to implement the 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategy Framework and Action Plan. Of the 132 action items in the action plan, 74 are completed and 58 are on track. The climate change council includes a youth council and have been meeting quarterly to improve coordination, communication around climate change. And I...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm here to present Bill 78, Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery Act.

I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment for review of this bill. Based on the feedback from committee, several amendments were made to the bill before us today.

Bill 78 presents a significant step forward in modernizing the Waste Reduction and Recovery Act. This legislation will allow the GNWT to use the most current tools to effectively manage recycling and waste reduction in the NWT. New tools include

an expanded scope for advisory...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know exactly which people he's talking about that are impacted, but my understanding is that accommodations are until at least January. But if the Member has heard of different situations, please reach out to us and we'll reach out to the department to make sure we fix that because we don't want these people that are being impacted by the fires to then have to be impacted by the accommodations. They may be part of the thing is they may be looking at maybe moving to Hay River and that might be some of the work that we're working on. But if the Member can work...

Thank you, Madam Chair. For that detail, I'll turn to the deputy minister. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's kind of a dual answer. If they're in Peace River or they have access to accommodations down there through Red Cross or our evacuation process, yes, please reach out to the Pathfinders that way. But if they haven't got accommodations, then, you know, reach out to their MLA, reach out to the South Slave or, if in case, the Pathfinders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about this summer's devastating wildfire season that affected a majority of Northwest Territories residents. Territorial emergencies began in May and ended in September and saw a total of 12 communities impacted and roughly 70 percent of all NWT residents evacuated from their communities.

I understand how stressful these emergency events must have been for residents. I was an evacuee myself in the spring of 2021 and understand the challenges and the anxiety that these situations bring. There are also challenging days ahead as many of...