Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by the Member for Great Slave on October 18, 2022, regarding a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Red Cross.
The Emergency Management Act empowers local authorities to enter into agreements for emergency management supports, which could include agreements with the Canadian Red Cross. The issue of the Government of the Northwest Territories entering into a moratorium of understanding with the Canadian Red Cross was raised at the NWT Association of Communities' annual general meeting on September 17th, 2022.
The GNWT recognizes the valuable services offered by the Canadian Red Cross, or CRC. The Ministers of Municipal and Community Affairs, or MACA, and the Department of Health and Social Services, met with CRC representatives to discuss services that could be available to the Northwest Territories through their organization. MACA and the CRC have explored how the services offered by the CRC could be used within the structure of the NWT Emergency Management Organization, or EMO.
Given the Emergency Management Act empowers local EMOs to enter into agreements like this, MACA has decided to not contract support with the CRC. While this may change in the future, at this time each community government is encouraged to examine their community emergency plans and determine if there is a role for external agencies such as the CRC. If community governments decide there is a need, they can contract services directly from the CRC.
The health and social services system has engaged in shortterm contracts with the Canadian Red Cross in the past and will continue to engage in the future when needed. While there are no current plans for additional contracts with the organization, this could change depending on circumstances and operational requirements.
I understand that the territorial planning committee, with membership from all government departments and agencies, will be reviewing the Northwest Territories' emergency plan in the near future. Through this committee, departments are supported to examine where an agreement with the Canadian Red Cross could be beneficial for them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
