Julian Morse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak about the lessons learned from the 2023 wildfires regarding insurance. On May 27th, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs discussed the importance of having insurance and ensuring residents are aware that proof of insurance or prior refusal is required to be eligible for the disaster assistance program. I have questions about what exactly residents need to provide to show they have been refused coverage, Mr. Speaker. How can residents demonstrate uninsurability especially have homes have been destroyed by fire. The...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I mean, I can't speak for other Members. For myself, I think the amendment is simple and straightforward enough that I don't personally require it in writing. I just that that was a rule. But if we're okay, I'm happy to move forward and speaking to the amendment, I'm supportive of it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And it seems the Minister is identifying a bit of a gray area here that I think we need to dig further into, and certainly I'll be doing that with research over the coming months preparing for the next session.

Mr. Speaker, has the Minister considered what measurements the government might be able to take to assist residents who are unable to obtain insurance due to affordability considering the federal government doesn't necessarily consider this to be reason enough to make residents eligible for disaster assistance? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what is MACA doing to help residents understand the steps that they need to follow in order to have proper insurance documentation? Certainly, I have residents I'd like to get this message out to. So what can I share with them, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to recognize -- we got lots of pages in the house today from the Frame Lake riding. I recognized her earlier this week but wanted to recognize and thank again Lucy Mackay. We've got Emereigh Moffatt returning, so thank you to her for her service. And also Tika Ristau. So thank you to all three of our Frame Lake pages this week. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's actually just a process question. Do we need to pause to get the amendment in writing or can we just make them on the fly?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And if the Minister doesn't mind following up with an e-mail or something with some information I can share with residents, I'd appreciate it.

Mr. Speaker, the issue of affordability seems to be one of the most difficult items. Can the Minister describe how residents who can't afford insurance in particular need to document their efforts to obtain eligibility for disaster assistance? Is there something that can be done to help residents who simply can't afford the insurance quotes that they're receiving and are not necessarily being refused? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of MACA as mentioned in my statement.

Can the Minister explain what documents residents must show to demonstrate prior refusal for insurance in order to be as eligible for the disaster assistance program? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just sitting with the words of my colleagues here. And I think that the first thing I want to say is, you know, just an expression of how much I respect and value the positions of my colleagues and the different perspectives that are shared here regardless of whether -- which way you go on this vote in particular or any vote, really. You know, I deeply appreciate, respect, and value our democratic process and the people who put us all here to represent them, and part of that respect is respecting the different voices that are brought to the table. So I appreciate the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, finally, has the Minister considered establishing targets for improvements? So a certain percentage of projects not going over budget anymore, have they thought about identifying kind of a plan for addressing this issue, setting targets to shoot for, and working to meet them to ensure that we are budgeting appropriately, managing projects well, ensuring that we are keeping projects within budget? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.