Thank you, Madam Speaker. I must revisit a service need that this government has been ignoring for too long. The NWT needs 911 phone service.
In a 2009 City of Yellowknife feasibility study, a study in which the GNWT was a full participating member, the recommendation was that 911 service should be established in seven of our 33 communities to start and that it be expanded to the other 26 communities as soon as possible. Now, more than three years later, there’s been no action on this issue and it is crucial that this government recognize and accept our duty to assist the City of Yellowknife in the establishment of this service.
The need for 911 has been talked about for over 15 years. The City of Yellowknife has completed not one but two studies as they try to solve the implementation riddle. As far back as 2001, the NWT chief coroner articulated the need for 911 service and attributed a death in 2000 to the lack of 911 service.
When I brought this up in the House in 2009, I heard the MACA Minister of the day advise that the government would only be involved in the implementation of 911 service if the service was provided to all communities in the NWT at the same time. Well, that argument will soon be invalid.
Since 2005, thanks to the NWT Broadband Project, 19 NWT communities have received enhanced broadband Internet services, and over the next two years a partnership between Infrastructure Canada, NorthwesTel and Falcon Communications will bring 3G mobile Internet services to 25 communities in our territory. Eighty-five to 90 percent of NWT residents will have cell phone service in their community in two years’ time.
A stated goal of this Assembly is sustainable, vibrant, safe communities. The best way for this Assembly to accomplish that goal is to plan for and fund the implementation of 911 service in the recommended seven communities. A phased-in approach still makes the most sense. With financial assistance from the GNWT, we can start now in those communities that already have the appropriate infrastructure and not deny the majority of NWT residents a much needed public safety service.
We have to bite the bullet and do the right thing. The City of Yellowknife is still willing to take the lead. The GNWT must partner with the city and get the implementation of 911 service on its way.
I will have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
