Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on October 14, 2005, regarding NWT Emergency Measures.
Mr. Yakeleya asked what departments are involved in the Emergency Measures Act.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs is given the authority under the Civil Emergency Measures Act to approve the Northwest Territories Emergency Plan, and designate various territorial and federal government departments with emergency responsibilities related to their mandates.
The Government of the Northwest Territories departments designated with emergency responsibilities under the Northwest Territories emergency plan are: Municipal and Community Affairs, Health and Social Services, Financial Management Board Secretariat, Executive, Environment and Natural Resources, Transportation, Public Works and Services, and Justice.
The federal government departments designated under the Northwest Territories emergency plan are: Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Border Services Agency, Parks Canada Agency, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans, Human Resources and Skills Development, Indian and Northern Affairs, Industry, Public Works and Government Services, and Transport Canada.
Mr. Yakeleya also asked who in the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs takes the lead role.
Mr. Speaker, the deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs is appointed as the emergency measures officer by the Minister under the act, and takes the lead role for emergency management within the Government of the Northwest Territories. To assist the deputy minister in fulfilling these responsibilities, Municipal and Community Affairs has established two
emergency management positions; one to support community emergency planning and response, and one to coordinate territorial emergency planning and response. As well, regional superintendents in each regional office play an active role in emergency planning and response in their respective regions.
Mr. Yakeleya also asked how often are the emergency measures policy guidelines updated.
Mr. Speaker, like most legislation and government policy, the Civil Emergency Measures Act and the policies associated with the act are not updated frequently. The department, however, is currently considering changes to the disaster assistance policy, and is also preparing to begin a comprehensive review of the Civil Emergency Measures Act. The increased national concern of terrorist attacks and the passage of the federal government's new national security policy have necessitated the review of the Civil Emergency Measures Act.
Mr. Yakeleya also asked how many times does the staff meet with the communities.
Mr. Speaker, the regional superintendent, on average, visits each Sahtu community once every two months. These visits are usually at the request of the community government. Regional staff also visit each community in the Sahtu approximately once every three months. During these visits, Municipal and Community Affairs' staff meet with the community council or staff members to discuss their issues, priorities and concerns in program areas such as capital planning, recreation, land administration, fire protection/emergency measures and council and staff training. During the floor emergency of 2005 in Fort Good Hope, Municipal and Community Affairs' staff visited the community five times. The community emergency management coordinator, whose position is located in Yellowknife, provides advice and support to regional staff and also meets with communities upon request to provide training or hands-on assistance during an emergency.
Mr. Yakeleya also asked how communities are categorized in the emergency measures.
Mr. Speaker, communities are categorized as local authorities under the Civil Emergency Measures Act and, as such, are the first level of government responsible for responding to emergencies. The act outlines the authority and responsibility of community governments for emergency preparedness and response.
Finally, Mr. Yakeleya asked if there are any territorial-wide emergency measures action plans to deal with territorial-wide issues.
Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories emergency plan is the Government of the Northwest Territories' plan for responding to territory-wide emergencies. The Northwest Territories emergency plan guides the Government of the Northwest Territories emergency operations when the Government of the Northwest Territories responds to an emergency, supports a community government's or lead agency's response to an emergency, or is called upon as part of a response to a national emergency.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.