Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency

In the Legislative Assembly on March 10th, 2022. See this topic in context.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

Page 3950

Okay, thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, today -- still today there are residents without clean drinking water in one of -- in one of the community. And their homes and personal property are being damaged and made unsafe from backup sewer pipes. An emergency under the Emergency Management Act means a current or imminent event that requires prompt coordination of action or special regulations of persons or property in order to protect the safety, health, or welfare of people or to limit or prevent damage to property or the environment.

Mr. Speaker, Behchoko which is -- I mean, in Edzo but it is part of Behchoko, is in a state of emergency. Will the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs declare a local state of emergency in Behchoko and to finally respond to the lack of clean water and crumbling infrastructure? Thank you.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

Page 3950

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

Page 3950

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's not our responsibility to declare a local state of emergency. We're working with the municipality on this very issue. The Member has brought it up. We are working. We have staff, whether it's regional or headquarters, meeting with the SAOs and their staff there. So if the community wants to declare a state of a local emergency, we are more than willing to work with them and explain the process to them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

Page 3950

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Because he said no? Okay, Mr. Speaker, in other situations in Canada, including most recently in Iqaluit, the lack of clean water resulted in the declaration of a state of emergency. Can the Minister explain to residents in Behchoko why he does not consider the situation as an emergency? Thank you.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

Page 3950

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think the Member, you know, when she talks about Iqaluit, that's in Nunavut. The city of Iqaluit declared a state of emergency. The community can declare a state of emergency. We're more than willing to work the community on addressing that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

Page 3950

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Thank you. Okay, Mr. Speaker, under the Emergency Management Act, a local authority may declare a state of emergency but the Minister can cancel such a declaration and must approve it before it can be renewed. If the community government declared is local state of emergency, would the Minister cancel or not approve the renewal of such declaration? Thank you.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

Page 3950

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, let's be very clear. Chief and council from Behchoko have not reached out to us to declare a state of an emergency. If they declare a state of emergency, we're more than willing to work with the Chief and council. And if they want to declare it, I'm more than willing to work with them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

Page 3950

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Monfwi.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

March 10th, 2022

Page 3950

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Mr. Speaker, thank you. Yes, at this time we are still dealing -- this is an emergency situation for many of my constituents. We are dealing with a situation where there's health is addressed of many of my residents. That's why I am addressing this. And he keeps saying this is not my responsibility. Well Behchoko, or any of the community government in Tlicho regions, that is the responsibility of MACA. That's why I am addressing it. I am addressing it and it's just more of a comment; he doesn't have to answer me back. Thank you.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

Page 3950

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member Monfwi. Minister responsible for MACA.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

Page 3950

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Municipal and Community Affairs, we work with the community governments. That's our responsibility. If the communities come to us, we're more than willing to work with them. The Chief has identified an issue there. We had a conversation. We brought in support staff, regional and headquarters, to work with the SAO and their staff there at the water treatment centers. We're working with their staff. We are working with them. We are trying to address it. There are some challenges. And I feel very sorry that these challenges are happening but we are working with them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency
Oral Questions

Page 3950

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Question 1021-19(2): Behchoko Water and Sewer Emergency

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