Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the recent wildfires will be etched in everyone's minds for quite some time. Three of the largest centres in the Northwest Territories were affected with evacuation orders: Fort Smith which includes Smith's Landing First Nation; Hay River; Yellowknife, which includes Dettah and N'dilo. Equally affected were my riding communities of K'atlodeeche, Enterprise, and Kakisa. This is the largest evacuation order, ever, of residents, due to wildfires. Hay River and K'atlodeeche had faced evacuations back in May due to a large, fast moving wildfire not seen previously, and a fire of this magnitude should have been a wake-up call.
Mr. Speaker, I, and on behalf of my colleagues, extend sincere sympathies to the many residents of our territory who were evacuated from their homes and communities. To the residents of Enterprise and Paradise Gardens, words cannot replace what was lost in the fires. But take solace, you were always in our thoughts and prayers. Our heartfelt sympathies to the many elders and long-term care patients who were displaced and sent far from their loved ones, you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Mr. Speaker, I and my colleagues would like to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the fire crews, fire management teams, and the many volunteers who were involved in containing the wildfires. It was an onerous task but you all stuck it out and for that the residents are forever grateful. Mahsi.
