This was asked by Mr. Gargan on March 3, 1994 regarding the Hay River Reserve emergency communication system.
The department provided communication equipment to the reserve in past years. But now, the community has taken the initiative to improve their situation. In the recent past, the Emergency Measures Organization had assisted the reserve by supplying a basic VHF communication system which allowed them, during breakup, to communicate on the reserve as well as to the both the GNWT and the town of Hay River off the reserve.
The Emergency Measures Organization has explored various options with the reserve which could lead to funding to purchase a complete VHF communication system.
In 1993, the band submitted a funding proposal to Emergency Preparedness Canada, under the joint emergency preparedness program. This proposal was approved by the federal government on November 2, 1993 on the basis of a 50/50 cost-sharing. The system installation was completed in February 1994 and the reserve now has a fully operational VHF communication system with a repeater and telephone interconnect linking the band office with vehicles, key personnel, the town of Hay River and NorthwesTel.
The EMO coordinator is travelling to the reserve on March 9 to assist the band in preparing their claim to the federal government under JEPP, and review contingency plans for the 1994 breakup. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.