Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I am pleased, Madam Speaker, with the announcement made by the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs yesterday with regard to the NWT search and rescue program. Unfortunately, she is not in the House today. I understand this program is a two-year training program for search and rescue on the ground and in the water. It is funded by the federal government and involves work with the RCMP.
Madam Speaker, I have been a volunteer in the past to search for people who went missing on the river in my constituency. I know what is required to do a search. It is very important that there be a quick response to emergencies with the proper equipment. These are the two areas where I have had concern in the past. In many cases, when rescue is required, there needs to be a coordinated, cooperative effort by people in the communities and, as well, to have the proper equipment available, especially if you have to go in the water.
The searches I have been involved with were coordinated effort, but I think the proper type of training and rescue management is what people in the communities have been asking for in the past. I just wanted to say that if there is such training, not only the municipal government but as well the band councils in the communities should be involved in this type of training.
I would like to ask the Minister questions, however she's not in the House so I'm going to have to wait until she gets back into the House. Mahsi.
---Applause