Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There’s a one-of-a-kind community volunteer that stands out from them all and that’s the firefighters that are asked to conduct exercises in gruelling conditions and asked to risk their lives in the name of community protection. In addition, they are asked to fundraise for their equipment. In a world where firefighting equipment is becoming more costly, hamlets all across the Territories, such as Tuktoyaktuk, Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok and Paulatuk, have not had increases in specific firefighting budgets in the last five years.
As I expressed during previous statements in this House, our small and remote communities are still ill-equipped to fight fires. The approach that our departments are taking to let the fires burn is just to control it. Our communities are not on the offensive, they’re always on the defensive. This is unacceptable, considering all the small and remote communities are the most susceptible to house fires and have the highest number of deaths per capita in Canada. You’d think this government would be working with our local fire marshals in the communities to get this sorted out.
Tuktoyaktuk alone will need to replace eight Scott Air Packs and 12 bunker suits. My office did a quick search regarding the cost for standard firefighting equipment. To replace one Scott Air Pack is $6,000. Every cost to the community government is too expensive. It’s $20,000 to replace those Scott Air Packs. The protective suits are $2,000 each. Replacing one would be $6,000 and I’m not even mentioning the related fire truck. I’m not a certified accountant, but I can see that all these add up to the community.
Other hamlets and fire chiefs told me that they’re still experiencing major technical problems with the fire truck, in addition to the garage and keeping their equipment heated and always under repair. Why is this government continuing to place fire services for small and remote communities on the backburner? Why are they always playing the blame game and saying the responsibility is the local government?
I’ve visited Nunakput communities enough to know that each community desperately needs a complete overhaul of their halls.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
We need to desperately overhaul completely the fire halls in our remote communities. What I’m especially concerned about is the lack of equipment and resources for community firefighters to enter a house and search for people trapped in the fire. I hope no community or firefighter in the NWT will have to experience this, but if they do, we must equip them. They’re risking their lives to service and protect our communities. At least we can train them and equip them accordingly.
I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
