Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, as one of the earlier questions I had the opportunity to take note that given the unprecedented nature of what's occurred that a rather unprecedented response and including an unprecedented style of review is likely in order. As to the design and structure of it, Mr. Speaker, an independent is being called for but also an opportunity for the public to be more engaged and to be better engaged with what's happening and their experiences of it as well as ensuring that what we are doing aligns with interests from Indigenous governments who also have suggested that there needed to be a different way of responding to what happened this summer, both in terms of the communities that were directly affected, such as Enterprise and Hay River, but also when they were facing indirect effects. When Yellowknife was evacuated, many communities faced immediate impacts to their food supply chain. So certainly in that sense, the answer in some ways is easy but I do want to emphasize, Mr. Chair, with this opportunity I am concerned looking forward to the spring. We are likely to face emergencies in the matter of a few months, and that will be happening. Perhaps we can get as far as an interim response. My fear is that we wouldn't be. And I do want to make sure that we have an opportunity to make any changes right now so that the lines of communications that are clear so that there's no question as to where people can get their information and so it is clear as to what the chains of command are and where they will be situated in the event that there is a call of an emergency and particularly if there's a state of emergency so that there is both the bigger picture in long term but also in that of the shorter term responses. If, in fact, this is to be another wildfire season, one thing I would ask if there are wildfire plans across the Northwest Territories, they are now becoming somewhat dated. I would like to look at where our highest risk zones are and look at whether or not those plans for those higher risk zones can be prioritized to be reviewed in advance of this wildfire season. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Caroline Wawzonek on Questions by Members
On December 7th, 2023. See this statement in context.
Questions by Members
Election Of Premier
December 7th, 2023
Page 7
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