Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to discuss the Annual Fire Loss Report for the Northwest Territories for 1998. The north continues to experience significant losses as a result of fire. Tragically, in 1998, a five-year-old boy died in a fire. Last year, fire losses in the NWT were worth $14.5 million dollars. This was largely due to the loss of the Kilinik High School in Cambridge Bay. The fire losses in the Northwest Territories for 1998 are still high in comparison with the Canadian average.
Mr. Speaker, the Office of the Fire Marshal has been working with stakeholders to improve fire prevention and firefighting. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has developed a fire protection strategy that will give direction to the future of fire protection in the territories. The commitment of local communities to support the initiatives of the Fire Marshal is critical to the success of the strategy. Through this support, we will be able to limit the damage caused by fire or prevent fires from occurring. Mr. Speaker, I am confident that with the support of my colleagues and local governments, we will see fire protection in the Northwest Territories improve and reduce our losses due to fire. Mr. Speaker, later today at the appropriate time, I will table the Office of the Fire Marshal 1998 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause