Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is very sad to see the plight of flood-affected families and we all must come forward to help each other in the hour of need. This includes the GNWT as we work on doing their best to assist the affected families and evacuees during the 2021 flood for the communities of Jean Marie River and Fort Simpson. As a person who was in one of the communities during the flood and in contact with the other community, the GNWT did a great job. What I saw and witnessed was the departments doing their best to support each community as we dealt with the flood.

The GNWT response started with the regional EMO team that is made up of departmental staff who helped and assisted the community staff and team. They showed great leadership and willingness to help and get things done as quickly as they were asked. This process started in January/February. Was it perfect? No. Did we need to adapt and modify the plan daily? Yes. Did we learn what needs to be improved next time? A big yes.

As I said in my previous member's statements, I know I am missing things the GNWT did but what I did see was nothing but amazing. They were there for the communities. I have attached appendixes with the various departments and staff lists that helped with the flood response. I would like to deem them as read.

Mr. Speaker, Deh Cho Health and Social Services moved our long-term care elders to Norman Wells with four staff, homecare elders to a B&B on the mainland, had community and regional staff available to provide necessary services and a M.A.S.H.-style mobile health unit.

Infrastructure had airport staff working to accept flights in with food, supplies, and transporting evacuees to Fort Smith and Hay River. They worked to get the ferry up and operational, ensuring it was done in a safe manner, so supplies could get into the community. As well, Infrastructure ensured the JMR access road was maintained.

The Power Corp did an amazing job in both communities. They had staff look after the power plants and shut them off in a timely manner. Unfortunately with the plants being shut off, they had to bring in a temporary plant to Jean Marie from Fort St. John, BC and start up an alternate plant up on the mainland.

They brought in staff from outside to help the community ensure that they had power and made sure, as the water receded, the power was hooked up safely.

ENR - they were a great asset during the flood. They helped bring in a mobile unit so staff had a place to stay in Jean Marie as they dealt with wildfire, wildlife issues. They helped the residents that stayed behind in both tent city camps. They brought in shower facilities and additional wall tents for Fort Simpson. They transported goods in the community and between both communities.

Municipal and Community Affairs provided - as food was needed, the department purchased 210 food hampers for Fort Simpson and Jean Marie. This was a big help for the residents that stayed in the community. The department put another 300 hampers together as evacuees started returning home.

Mr. Speaker, this is a small amount of support the GNWT offered during our difficult time. On top of this, the Government of the Northwest Territories donated $150,000 to the United Way in support of those impacted by flooding in the Northwest Territories. All I can say is thank you, thank you, and mahsi cho.