Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions were going to be for the Minister of ITI, but listening to the Minister of health say “yes” all the time, I might ask her instead.
---Laughter
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
In the Legislative Assembly on March 4th, 2020. See this topic in context.
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
Oral Questions
March 4th, 2020
Page 488
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said in my statement, fishing is one of the most challenging and dangerous occupations. As such, we must ensure that our fishers are provided safe working conditions and the tools to make that happen here in the NWT. My first question for the Minister of ITI is: the NWT fishing revitalization strategy focuses mainly on production of fish and is silent on safety; can the Minister confirm if it includes the supports to improve fisher safety, and, if so, what are those safety supports? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
Oral Questions
Page 488
The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
Oral Questions
Page 488
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Safety is something that we take very seriously and is a focus of the Commercial Fisheries Revitalization Strategy. A key component of the strategy is addressing equipment and standards, which will promote safer fishing practices throughout the NWT. As with most things, we have many partners in this effort, including the marine training centre in Hay River, the NWT's Fishermen's Federation, NWSCC as well.
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
Oral Questions
Page 488
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
I'll ask the Minister: are there any funds that will be put towards ensuring fishers have access to safety equipment, such as the emergency position indicating radio beacons, which can help locate fishermen or vessels if something happens?
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
Oral Questions
Page 488
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Yes, Mr. Speaker, we do have funds available through existing programs, which can be accessed for this kind of equipment. They would include the SEED program, or Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development policy, and the Commercial Fisheries Industry Support Program. I can also confirm we have provided funding for GPS equipment in the past, and we're going to continue to make this part of our discussion as we go through the process of revitalization.
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
Oral Questions
Page 488
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Does the Minister's department work with DFO and/or the WSCC to ensure vessels are inspected and are seaworthy and have the necessary safety equipment to meet safety standards?
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
Oral Questions
Page 488
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Yes, we work with WSCC and Transport Canada, who is the regulator of fishing vessels, to promote safety for all of our fishers, and again, the revitalization strategy works to implement mandatory training and supports fishers to bring their equipment and their vessels up to standards, and we are going to continue to work going forward to ensure that the safety is improved for all fishers on the lake. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
Oral Questions
Page 489
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
Oral Questions
Page 489
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be willing to throw another $500,000 for grant money for the fishers? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
Oral Questions
Page 489
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
While I can't say “yes” on this one, however, I would have to look to my colleagues to approve any supplementary asks that I may have going forward. If we determine that we do need more funding, we will be coming back to the Assembly to look for that funding, and I hope that the Member will say “yes” at that point. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 146-19(2): Fisher Safety
Oral Questions
Page 489