Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the issue of capital spending in the NWT, specifically for Fort Smith. I would like to see a new territorial fire centre for the NWT to replace the existing fire centre in Fort Smith. As we all know, the NWT fire centre has the important role of being the first responders to any territorial forest fires. Not only does the fire centre operate across the NWT, but the fire centre also has signed agreements to assist with large forest fires across Canada, as well as internationally.
Geographically, the South Slave region is the northern-most part of the Boreal forest, making this area the most vulnerable to large wildfires. While all NWT communities can be affected by forest fires, most of communities within this area are also surrounded by miles of Boreal forest, which has the potential to create problems within the communities, especially when it involves emergency evacuations.
The NWT fire centre must be state-of-the-art and contain the highest degree of technology and equipment, including fibre optics. The fire centre needs to have modern technologies to assist any communities who require assistance with wildfires. The new facility will also require a large warehouse to contain all the essential equipment that is needed to export personnel responding to wildfires.
Mr. Speaker, it is essential that our NWT fire centre be on par with national fire centres across the country. The territorial fire centre not only serves all of the NWT but has agreements about assisting national and international fire centres when needed. In return, the NWT fire centre also relies on national and international firefighters to assist here at home when wildfires turn out of control, threatening our communities and resources.
The fire centre has the essential role of containing and maintaining the locations of wildfires, firefighters, and national and international exports. Mr. Speaker, for those very significant reasons, we must ensure that we continue to provide both Northerners and southerners with the most up-to-date technologies and equipment in regard to fire centres. I will have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.