Mr. Speaker, two years ago the 17th Legislative Assembly made supporting
sustainable, vibrant, safe communities one of its goals. Today I wish to advise Members on Municipal and Community Affairs’ efforts to help achieve that important goal. I am referring to efforts that are underway to help ensure the safety and security of Northwest Territories residents by assisting with community emergency preparedness.
Communities in the NWT have experienced natural, technological and human-caused hazards in the
past and will continue to do so in the future. Emergencies related to these hazards can occur at any time and in any place, with or without warning. Planning for and responding to emergency events is an ongoing process involving all levels of government.
Over the past several years, community governments have made considerable progress towards improving their emergency response capabilities.
Eleven communities have created new emergency response plans since 2011, while eight have updated their existing plan. MACA will continue to work with communities to assist them in updating or creating emergency response plans, and last month MACA delivered its first table-top exercise in Whati, which is now available to all communities to help validate current plans.
Mr. Speaker, emergency preparedness involves continual planning and capacity building. Our collective efforts need to help ensure all communities reach a suitable level of readiness. To this end, MACA is engaged in several important initiatives that will help lay a foundation with which to support and strengthen community efforts.
This summer, MACA’s School of Community Government, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, will begin delivery of first responder training to community volunteers and staff. These skills are critical in responding to emergencies outside medical facilities and at remote locations.
Mr. Speaker, the department recently completed a territorial hazard identification risk assessment which provides community governments with guidance concerning risks that pose the greatest threat to people, property, environment and the economy. This tool can be used to update community emergency plans, develop municipal disaster risk mitigation plans and guide development of emergency response exercises. These tools are especially important as we enter into this year’s forest fire season.
MACA has also started work on modernizing the Civil Emergency Measures Act to ensure it provides the Government of the NWT and community governments with effective tools to respond to hazards in our current environment.
This year MACA will begin updating the Northwest Territories Emergency Plan, which has not been thoroughly reviewed since 2001. It is time that we ensure the plan provides the GNWT and its partners with proper guidance to implement an effective territorial response when necessary.
As clearly demonstrated, keeping residents safe in our communities involves a number of key elements all working together. Success is achieved by partners coming together to ensure effective planning and capacity.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend community governments for their continued efforts in this important area, and once again, I encourage their continued support and participation in the work ahead of us. I would also like to remind all residents of the NWT that emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. Every household should have a plan for an emergency ready in case of an emergency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.