Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question I would like to direct to Minister Morin. I'm sorry, Mr. Todd; it deals with parks.
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
In the Legislative Assembly on June 6th, 1995. See this topic in context.
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Some Hon. Members
(Microphone turned off)
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Well, it deals with forest fires but...Mr. Speaker, we have extremely dry conditions not only here in Yellowknife in the recreational areas surrounding the city, but all over the territories and it's becoming quite alarming to people that now that the weather is so good people are going to be out. I would like to ask the Minister whether his Department of Economic Development and Tourism who is responsible for parks and the contracts to look after these parks are having their attendants inspect and ensure that fire situations are not in existence. Last year, if I recall correctly, we had a number of fires in recreational areas due to campers. Has this been looked at,
Mr. Speaker?
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1148
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good question. Parks, fires, we have many of them. We are well aware, Mr. Speaker, of the high cost of containing fires in the Northwest Territories. This responsibility, as we know, currently lies with my honourable colleague, Mr. Morin. Our division of parks, I don't think is directly involved in spotting and controlling fires. But I think it is a good suggestion that the honourable Member has raised, and I will review the matter with the deputy minister later on this week. Thank you.
Return To Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.
Supplementary To Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps my question would be a little more to the point of inspections of campsites and this type of thing to ensure that fires are not going to get out of hand, was more what I had in mind. We did have some situations where fires did get out of hand. I think more to the point is whether or not there should be a ban on campfires -- that is, unprotected campfires -- in anticipation of the extreme dryness we're facing. That was what I was directing more towards, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
June 5th, 1995
Page 1148
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1148
John Todd Keewatin Central
I thought we were talking more about the larger issue of forest fires. My apologies, Mr. Speaker. The department does provide significant literature to the campers and campgrounds, et cetera, about the hazards of fires. Particularly this time of year when the weather is dry and sunny like it is in the east, it does provide information to campers and to people who are involved in the parks to be careful and to be vigilant in the use of campfires, et cetera. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1148
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.
Supplementary To Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister give us his assurance that he will instruct his department perhaps to put some public service messages on the radio now? I think literature is good and those who are cautious read this, but those who are not listening to this program may pick it up on the radio if we have public service messages. Would he endeavour to do that? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1148
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1148
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I'll work with my colleague, Mr. Morin, who, as I said, is involved in the larger issue of firefighting. I think we're all aware of the enormous cost that's involved with this; last year, I believe, it was over $27 million. I'll work out a bit of a program with him which will perhaps make the public more aware of the need to be vigilant and more careful as the dry season wears on. Thank you very much for these suggestions.
Further Return To Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Question 510-12(7): Inspection Of Parks For Forest Fire Prevention
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1148
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Ms. Mike.