Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. As of the fall of 2014, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources had wildfire protection plans for 28 communities in five regions.
My question is: Have these plans been revised in light of lessons learned last summer? Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regards to the Member’s question, I would like to just reflect quickly back on his Member’s statement and his acknowledgement and recognition of the foresight of the people of Kakisa, and I just want to acknowledge that I concur with his assessment that what they did was, I think, pivotal in how well they survived the wildfires.
What’s been happening is we’ve been doing a debriefing. We’ve been working internally. We’re going out to the communities now to have those discussions across many of the regional centres, but to have that discussion with communities about things that need to be done in anticipation of the upcoming fire season. Thank you.
I thank the Minister for his reply. In light of preparing for this season’s forest fire season, has the department assessed the remaining communities at not requiring a wildfire protection plan? For example, Yellowknife, whether indeed a fire protection plan is necessary. Mahsi
While Yellowknife is blessed with significant natural defences when it comes to fire, every community is looking at their defences and working with ENR to see what needs to be done, what the communities can do, what individuals can do, how do we use our fire crews when they’re not fighting fires, and all those different areas. Every community in the Boreal Forest should have a refreshed type of a strategy as we look forward to the upcoming fire season. Thank you.
On October 16, 2014, the response to an oral question, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources committed to share in a critical debriefing report with committee.
What is the status of this report? Mahsi.
The work has been concluded. It’s been a very comprehensive exercise and we anticipate that by the end of March, early April we’ll be able to share that information. We’ve been looking at it as we’ve developed it, as we’ve talked internally, plus the work we’ve had with the stakeholders in communities and the feedback. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
