Debates of June 13, 2024 (day 27)

June
13
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
27
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay Macdonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Yakeleya
Assembly Members
Topics
Acknowledgement 7-20(1): Retirement of Theresa Bonnetrouge
Acknowledgement 8-20(1): Monfwi Graduates
Bill 10: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 20242025
Bill 10: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 20242025, Carried
Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20242025, Carried
Bill 9: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20242025
Member’s Statement 306-20(1): Accessing Lab Work
Member’s Statement 307-20(1): Supports for Tourism
Member’s Statement 308-20(1): Gratitude
Member’s Statement 309-20(1): Mackenzie Valley Highway
Member’s Statement 310-20(1): Wellness and Addictions
Member’s Statement 311-20(1): Thank You
Member’s Statement 312-20(1): Improving Indigenous Student Outcomes in the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 313-20(1): Thank You
Member’s Statement 314-20(1): Federal Top-Up Funding for Enterprise
Member’s Statement 315-20(1): Wedding Congratulations
Member’s Statement 316-20(1): Congratulations to Coaches
Member’s Statement 317-20(1): Congratulations to Fort Smith Graduates
Member’s Statement 318-20(1): Special Olympics Constituent Congratulations
Member’s Statement 319-20(1): HIghlights for Nahendeh
Minister’s Statement 56-20(1): Western Premier’s Conference 2024
Minister’s Statement 57-20(1): Maintenance and Repairs
Minister’s Statement 58-20(1): School Support Assistant Pilot Program
Motion 37-20(1): Mackenzie Valley Highway Business Case Renewal, Carried
Motion 38-20(1): Consideration for the Hamlet of Enterprise to Receive Top-Up Funding, Carried
Motion 39-20(1): Extended Adjournment of the House to October 17, 2024, Carried
Question 294-20(1): Supports for Tourism
Question 295-20(1): Lands Staff in Sahtu
Question 296-20(1): Access to Lab Work
Question 296-20(1): Federal Funding for Enterprise
Question 297-20(1): Wellness and Addictions Recommendations
Recorded Vote
Recorded Voted
Tabled Document 128-20(1): GNWT Search and Rescue System Review Final Report
Tabled Document 130-20(1): NWT Surface Rights Board Operating Budget
Tabled Document 131-20(1): Prosper NWT 2024-2025 Corporate Plan
Tabled Document 132-20(1): Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Smoking Control and Reduction Act Three-Year Report 2020-2023
Tabled Document 133-20(1): Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 186-20(1): Addressing Erosion in Aklavik
Tabled Document 134-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 1-20(1), Report on the 2024-2025 Main Estimates
Tabled Document 135-20(1): Greenland Council Economic Report 1. Half Year 2024
Statements

Question 296-20(1): Federal Funding for Enterprise

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of MACA. Can the Minister explain why the GNWT does not want to accept assistance from the federal government under the disaster assistance administration to support housing units in Enterprise? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the thing to remember here is the disaster assistance program is a federal program. And just to be clear, it clearly states in the policy, for the disaster assistance policy, that it is not an insurance program. Residents who have no insurance that have been affected by the wildfire are being taken care of. They are being housed by the program. So they are being housed until -- I believe right now until the end of August pending some more communication with the DFAA.

I will add, though, Mr. Speaker, that we have to remember that the wildfire -- fire insurance is readily available and overland flood insurance is not readily available. And that sometimes confuses people on why some assistance might be coming or not. So to the question, I guess, for the most part, that DFAA does not supply housing for rebuild homes for uninsured properties. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister explain the considerations and discussions that have occurred with the federal Minister for Public Safety regarding support for Enterprise? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We've had lots of discussion with the department. MACA had lots of communications with the department and the public safety staff. I've personally spoke to the public safety Minister. And I think we've exhausted all avenues in regards to assisting uninsured properties in Enterprise. Just keep in mind that they are being housed through disaster assistance support. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister for that. Has the Minister discussed the long-term options for temporary housing units constructed in Enterprise with the federal Minister? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I have. And currently, as I stated, they are being housed through the disaster assistance program. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Oral questions. Final supplementary. Member from Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi. Can the Minister explain the role of the pathfinder assigned to assist displaced residents. What does the pathfinder do to help displaced residents? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The pathfinders are the GNWT resources people on the ground to assist residents who may be involved in an emergency like flooding and fires. Their goal is to help the residents navigate the GNWT system and assist them in finding resources to help them during the time in need. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.