Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was told that when it comes to eliminating programs, the departments prefer death by a thousand cuts. They take a little bit at a time, over and over again, and before you know it, there's nothing left. Well, I have to hand it to MACA. They're very efficient. They've proposed to eliminate all funding for ground ambulance and highway rescue services in only two cuts. This information was made public this morning during a briefing with Minister Cochrane. Last year the funding was $400,000. This year it's $180,000. Next year, the department proposes a budget of $0.
As I've said in this House before, no level of government is responsible for providing highway rescue services, and as a result, the communities that do provide it aren't funded accordingly. At today's briefing, we were told that the ability to provide lifesaving services to victims on the highway is a priority but not a high enough priority. Also not a high priority is addressing the fact that 27 communities in the territory completely lack any sort of ambulance services. Some communities have fire departments which can provide emergency medical services, but, according to the Auditor General's report, MACA couldn't tell you which ones.
Mr. Speaker, the line from this government has consistently been that we're broke and we have to live within our means. I agree. We have to live within our means. We also have to make sure people live, period. I hoped that at today's briefing, MACA would present a solution. I hoped that the legislation to designate authority over highway rescue was in the works or that comprehensive funding was being unveiled. Instead, we were told MACA wants to cut what little funding there is and communities will be forced to find monies from within their current budgets.
With a $40million funding shortfall for communities already, this proposed cut adds insult to injury. Even though it's inadequate, the funding is used to buy things like defibrillators and jaws of life, breathing apparatus, vehicle extraction training, and this year, in Hay River, a radio tower that allows fire fighters to communicate over hundreds of kilometres of highway.
These are essential tools needed to save lives. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue of public safety. This government can't continue to ignore its ethical and moral responsibility to protect the lives of our citizens and visitors to the territory. Mr. Speaker, I truly believe that the Minister means well, but shame on the department if they pursue this cut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
