Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Questions for the Minister of MACA. Can the Minister confirm how much financial assistance in terms of a cheque or cash has been paid out to individuals that have been impacted by the flooding. As it's been almost two weeks now, and I'm just wondering, you know, how much action with respect to payments that we have seen. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Territory is quite anxious to see, you know, the response of what the department has been providing to the community of Fort Simpson. The Housing Corporation and Municipal and Community Affairs have just returned back from the community. We have followed up on a conversation this morning, and we are further to determine that about 43 houses have been affected in the community as well.
And looking at financial supports for that community, we have been working very closely as well and taking care of the hotel financial obligation for that community. MACA is taking care of those residents there.
And also looking at further assistance as well, we are really heavily dependent on the assessment that's going to be able to determine what needs are going to be provided for that community.
As of today, the only financial assistance that has been provided to the community is the support from the Department, both MACA and Housing, and also providing the accommodations for the residents that have been affected by the flood. The residents are currently now still in the hotels in Fort Providence and in Fort Simpson. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister confirm how much money her department has set aside or identified to assist immediately with financial support to the victims that are in dire need of it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like I had said, we are waiting on the assessment to be completed. But in the meantime, we are providing that support to the communities and looking at their home and their housing repair, which is the priority right now. We will be keeping the Members and my colleagues updated as we go forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I thank the Minister for that response, you know, and I guess what I'm after is I want to know, you know, if that the people are being looked after for immediate needs right now, because I know that many of them have probably, you know, used up whatever funds they had just, you know, leaving their home. There's always a cost associated with it.
I'd also ask the Minister if she can confirm how long her department is with assessments or has it even started on the buildings. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have a lot of I guess maybe a conversation about the assessment, who conducts the assessment, who is going to be responsible for the assessment. The communities have reached out as well in wanting to conduct their own.
Right now, MACA has hired a northern company that will be getting into Fort Simpson on Wednesday and Thursday, both Simpson and Jean Marie River, of this week. And once I'm provided those further details, I will follow up with the Member and with my colleagues as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There's been a number of organizations raising money for the victims of the flooding. I think we've had Red Cross and United Way and individuals as well through GoFundMe pages.
Has the Minister been in contact with any of these groups or individuals to confirm, you know, how much money has been raised and how it will be dispersed and just to coordinate with what her department's doing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is correct that there has been a lot of donations that have been provided to the community. We have not tallied up those numbers yet and outreaching to the organizations that are helping to support the community. I will have to get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
