Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The weather is getting colder outside and I think it’s only prudent that we take a look at all our emergency actions both in-house and community and as a territory. For that, today my questions will be for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs on the theme of emergency preparedness.
My first question is: Back in April of 2012 while we were doing the business plans and main estimates, the Minister of MACA reported that seven community governments had completed their fire assessments and that at March 31st of this year that number increased to 24. Through a series of questions, we were given some direction that there would be a potential completion of all 33 communities. So my question to the Minister is: Where are we at with respect to the fire assessments?
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As of September 21st we’ve had 28 of the 33 communities that have updated their fire assessment plans and we’re trying to work with the other five to have their assessment done as quickly as possible.
It’s pleasing to see that we’re getting to the completion of all 33 communities in what is very, very important here. Leading to my second question on the subject of hazard assessments, these are basically high-level scenarios in terms of where we have communities at risk. Can the Minister indicate as to if all hazard assessments have been performed in all 33 communities?
As part of working with the communities on their emergency preparedness plan, hazards would be identified and we’d work closely with those communities to try and see how we can work around those and have them best prepared to handle any emergencies that might come about. We’ve got about 12 communities that have fully updated their emergency plans. We have 18 that need a little bit of updating, we’re working with them. We still have three communities that are without emergency plans and we have to work very closely with them to ensure that they get plans put into place.
The Minister is kind of leading into my third question, which is the overarching complement of what’s called your Emergency Action Plans. The Minister did give the number, I believe, of 18.
Can the Minister indicate to me as to who is actually doing those Emergency Action Plan assessments? Is it the communities themselves or is it the fire marshals or a designate from the government who are doing those?
The fire assessments are done by our assistant fire marshals that are out in every region. They go into the communities and work with the communities to identify their needs and training opportunities. As far as emergency planning goes, we go in and work with communities to assist them in putting together their emergency plans. As far as the emergency plan goes, the community usually is the lead on that and MACA is support.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It does appear that we’re actually moving in the right direction with respect to the safety of our communities and proper emergency action plans.
Can the Minister indicate in his crystal ball of items to be completed during the term of the 17th Assembly, when we would be able to see the completion of these so-called emergency action plans throughout the territory?
It is our goals, and I think we’re starting to see the effects of different types of emergency today that some communities may have not seen in the past. As I pointed out before, we have 12 communities that have updated plans and we have to work very closely with those 18 communities to update their plans. They do have plans, but we just need to update them. The three without, I mean, we’ll have to basically get on their case to make sure that they ask us to come in and help them work out their emergency plans.
It would be our desire by this time next year to have all 33 communities with a concrete plan.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
