Debates of February 23, 2024 (day 9)

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Statements

Question 86-20(1): Emergency Management Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the severe shortcoming of the government's response to the 2023 wildfire crisis and evacuation, my question probably would be more to the Minister of environment is going to the next 2024 fire season, in my riding of Tu NedheWiilideh last year, we had issues with food securities and supply chain, and we also had issues with the airlines couldn't fly into Lutselk'e. My question to the Minister would be what are they doing this in the 2024 fire season to help correct these problems? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Mr. Premier.

I'd like to redirect that to the Minister of MACA. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we're all aware that there was a lot of several unintended supply chain issues that we had last year in regards to the evacuations, you know, due to the Yellowknife airport being closed and other airports and other infrastructure like roads being closed. All the departments are working have worked together to understand these issues, and we're continually working to improve what happened. The Department of ITI has provided their information to the Department of MACA, and we'll be looking at those. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Minister. My next question, probably adding to that as well, is we had issues with communication in our riding where we had no communication for five days. Going into the 2024 fire season, can you maybe elaborate a little bit more about how we're going to improve the communication into our communities of Tu NedheWiilideh and also in the official languages? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The GNWT is working with the Council of Leaders to find ways of communicating with the communities in regards to emergency management. Also, we're well aware of the communication issues that happened. To be honest, I was one of the ones running around stealing StarLink so that we could have communication. So I hear what the Member is saying. The departments are working on these concerns. However, local community governments are responsible for local emergency measurement, EMO organizations. Part of that EMO organization is being prepared themselves. And they're the ones that know the area. They're the ones that know the resources. And the local EMOs, I encourage them to keep working on whatif scenarios and having those readily available for their local communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister, for your reply.