Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Antoine on June 15th regarding the status of community water pumps for fire protection.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has followed up on the suggestions of the Member and the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance to review options for fire protection in small communities.

Mr. Speaker, our review of the options for using portable water pumps, of a Wajax or similar type, found there were limited supplementary benefits to the fire suppression equipment currently in small communities. Cold weather problems with pumps and hoses limit their use in winter, set-up time for pump and host systems is too lengthy for quick response, the size and weight of pumps necessary to pump water any distance is a distinct disadvantage and, the pressure from these types of pumps provide marginal water flow rates for tire suppression. The office of the fire marshal has not sanctioned pump and hose systems as a reliable means of lire suppression.

The department believes that a rapid, coordinated response with the dry chemical fire truck, the water truck and the loader is the most effective means of containing and controlling fires in small communities. These methods could apply to the small brush fires in communities that the Member mentioned.

As Members will appreciate from our experiences with fires in the Sahtu and other areas, community fire suppression equipment is a minor component of the efforts of forest fire management. In my reply to the honourable Member for Thebacha, I noted work is being undertaken to upgrade and rebuild community fire breaks as one measure to improve protection from major forest fires.

Mr. Speaker, the department is also focusing on means to improve fire protection within communities. Several of these initiatives were announced last session in presenting our 1995- 96 budget and include the firefighters training program now being developed. A course is scheduled this fall for the Fort Simpson area, and the firefighters from small communities in the region will be trained in the use of dry chemical fire trucks and brush firefighting. Other initiatives include public education, on such matters as minimizing the burning of community garbage, and a current study on ways to improve fire alerting in communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Pollard.

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Dent on June 8, 1995. It concerned the inclusion of non-insured health benefits in the health billings agreement.

Mr. Speaker, by way of a contribution agreement, the Government of the Northwest Territories administers and delivers, on behalf of Health Canada, the non-insured health benefits program to Inuit and registered Indians in the Northwest Territories. Under the terms of the agreement, invoices are paid by the territorial government and submitted monthly for reimbursement from the federal government.

The 1995-96 budget amount for the non-insured health benefits program is $15.7665 million. This amount was proposed by Health Canada following a review of the previous year's expenditures.

Mr. Speaker, a unilateral cut by Canada for non-insured health benefits across Canada would impact the Northwest Territories by way of section 25 of the agreement which states:

"In accordance with section 40 of the Financial Administration Act, R.S., 1985, c. F-11, payment here under is subject to there being an appropriation for the fiscal year in which any commitment here under would come due for payment."

This provision of the agreement allows Canada to limit payment under the non-insured services program to amounts appropriated. As a result, a unilateral cut across Canada would reduce funding available to Inuit and registered Indians in the Northwest Territories for non-insured benefits.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health and Social Services is corresponding with her federal counterpart with regard to the comprehensive review that Health Canada is conducting relative to the non-insured health benefits program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like Mr. Speaker, it has been brought to my attention that two new Renewable Resources employees have been hired to replace the two employees who were dismissed last week; the Bird Dog officer and assistant manager of air operations. Apparently, two employees have been hired to replace these individuals. Can I ask the Minister when these two latest employees were hired as air attack officers? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of the Personnel Secretariat, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not clear on all of the specifics, so I will take the question as notice.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The question is being taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Resources. Earlier today, I mentioned in my Member's statement concerns about the situation of the Dahl Sheep in the mountains. There are no quotas on them and there is a concern that these animals may be overhunted. I would like to ask the Minister if his department is doing anything to survey and count how many sheep there are, so we can impose a quota on these sheep. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.