Mr. Speaker, WHEREAS Northwest Territories highways are remote and communities are not equipped to respond to emergencies on our highway system;

AND WHEREAS communities must apply for reimbursement when they respond to accidents outside of their municipal boundaries;

AND WHEREAS there have been an average of 130 collisions per year on Northwest Territories highways over the last three years, and the volume of traffic on the Mackenzie Highway between the 60^th parallel and Yellowknife will likely increase with the opening of the Deh Cho Bridge that now allows uninterrupted travel year round, 24 hours a day;

AND WHEREAS increased traffic increases the risk of fires, injuries and fatalities on the Northwest Territories highway system;

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories has engaged a working group to advance the provision of ground ambulance and highway rescue services;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that the Government of the Northwest Territories enhance its work in the area of ground ambulance and highway rescue by emphasizing training and preparing for emergencies outside of municipal boundaries;

AND FURTHER, that the government bring forward legislation within the next 12 months to update the Fire Prevention Act and to make any other amendments required to make provisions for ground ambulance and highway rescue services;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a comprehensive response to this motion within 120 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.