Debates of June 10, 2024 (day 24)
Question 278-20(1): Disaster Assistance Programs for Traditional Cabin Owners
![Member Sheryl Yakeleya](/sites/default/files/styles/3_4_portrait_profile/public/legacy/sheryl_yakeleya.jpg?h=49d2da69&itok=W9Q63pxl)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of ECC. Can the Minister tell me what supports are available to cabin owners as they clean up the charred and damaged properties that once were their cabins? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Minister for ECC.
![Member Jay MacDonald, Minister MacDonald](/sites/default/files/styles/3_4_portrait_profile/public/legacy/jay_macdonald.jpg?h=eb6658bb&itok=ReRS3pfy)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently, there are programs, the Harvesters Fire Damage Assistance Program, which supports harvesters across the NWT with fire damage. However, that program does not speak directly to the Member's question and it doesn't have a provision for clean-up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
![Member Sheryl Yakeleya](/sites/default/files/styles/3_4_portrait_profile/public/legacy/sheryl_yakeleya.jpg?h=49d2da69&itok=W9Q63pxl)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since they don't have a provision for clean-up. How about for assistance for cabins that were burned? Thank you.
![Member Jay MacDonald, Minister MacDonald](/sites/default/files/styles/3_4_portrait_profile/public/legacy/jay_macdonald.jpg?h=eb6658bb&itok=ReRS3pfy)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The program covers costs up to $40,000 for harvesters to get them back on the land, back to their traditional economy lifestyle, and that could include the recovery of damage to a cabin. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
![Member Sheryl Yakeleya](/sites/default/files/styles/3_4_portrait_profile/public/legacy/sheryl_yakeleya.jpg?h=49d2da69&itok=W9Q63pxl)
Thank you. I have a little bit more of a different question then. My next question is what constitutes harvesters? Like, what do they have to be harvesting to be considered a harvester? Thank you.
![Member Jay MacDonald, Minister MacDonald](/sites/default/files/styles/3_4_portrait_profile/public/legacy/jay_macdonald.jpg?h=eb6658bb&itok=ReRS3pfy)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the parameters of the program indicate a harvester must have 20 percent of their annual income -- or 25 percent of their annual income come directly from the result of harvesting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of ECC. Final supplementary. Member from Deh Cho.
![Member Sheryl Yakeleya](/sites/default/files/styles/3_4_portrait_profile/public/legacy/sheryl_yakeleya.jpg?h=49d2da69&itok=W9Q63pxl)
Thank you. 20 percent of their annual income from harvesting, is that like harvesting fur, wood, fish? Cutting -- like, cutting wood? Picking mushrooms and doing stuff like that, is that what that means? Thank you.
![Member Jay MacDonald, Minister MacDonald](/sites/default/files/styles/3_4_portrait_profile/public/legacy/jay_macdonald.jpg?h=eb6658bb&itok=ReRS3pfy)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't want to speak directly to all of the specifics because I don't want to miss anything. But I will certainly provide that information back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.