Debates of October 29, 2012 (day 24)

Topics
Statements

QUESTION 245-17(3): LONG-TERM FLOOD PLANS FOR NAHANNI BUTTE

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I pointed out the need for a long-term plan to mitigate the impact of flooding in the community of Nahanni Butte in view of the risks. My question is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Will the Minister commit to developing a long-term plan for the community of Nahanni Butte that addresses future flooding?

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’d be glad to work with the community of Nahanni Butte to work on their long-term plan as far as the flooding goes. We do know that the federal government has come forward with a Disaster Mitigation Policy. We’re not sure of the details yet, but it’s for exactly the type of situation like this where they can mitigate potential floods in the future.

I think I spoke with the Minister in the House last week about coming to the community of Nahanni Butte, and while we’re there we will be discussing the option of relocating the community to the east side of the Liard River. If there’s enough community support, will the Minister and his department seriously consider that option?

Support from the community is the key word here. We would like to see the community committed to this through a formal motion or possible plebiscite, because moving a community will have an effect, especially on the elders who are used to living there and have lived there their entire lives. We would have to have community support to consider it.

When the idea was first brought up in the aftermath of the flood, initial reaction from government officials was that it’s going to cost millions to relocate a community. It’s also costing millions to repair the community and we don’t want to keep doing that. It has to be considered seriously.

I’d like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs if, with the community’s support, he is willing to dedicate resources in the 2013-2014 budget to address the needs of this community for planning such a move?

I look forward to my trip to Nahanni Butte and meeting with the leadership there. If it is the will of the community, then I will commit to the Member that we will work closely with the community to see what resources might be needed to work on a long-term plan as far as relocating the community goes. I will commit to the Member that I will work with him and the community.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It will take financial resources to do planning studies for planning a whole new town, et cetera. I just wanted to ask the Minister, if the community is willing, if the Minister will be prepared to put some small resources to beginning such a planning study. A planning for planning study, as it were. If the community asks for it, will the Minister do it during his visit to Nahanni Butte?

Again, it’s the will of the community. If the community is serious about potential relocation, then we would have to look at identifying some resources to start the planning and working with the community on a possible relocation.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.