Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as follow-up to my Member's statement, I have a few questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Mr. Speaker, I would like to the ask the Minister how our plans for pre-suppression activities, like fuelbreaks, are prioritized? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. Mr. Simpson.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. Mr. Simpson?

Thank you, Mr. Nakimayak. Minister Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, every summer, a community somewhere experiences a devastating wildfire that threatens lives, homes, and important infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, Fort McPherson's Wildland Fire Protection Plan was finalized in 2012. It recommended improving the community's fuelbreaks and helping people reduce fire hazards on their properties by getting rid of dead brush and controlling the vegetation growing around their homes.

Mr. Speaker, Fort McPherson's fuelbreaks were established in the 1980s and are overgrown and ineffective.

Mr. Speaker, in 2014 the community was ready...

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Next we have Mr. Simpson.

Thank you, Deputy Minister DeLancey. Mr. Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Nakimayak. Minister Abernethy.

Under the definition here, maybe it should be specified for specific to that organization because, under this heading here, it should be almost proposal-driven, the way this is labelled here. When you read this here, it seems like anyone can access this. Maybe you should be more specific in the future. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Next, under the seniors’ fund, $205,000 available funding to support eligible applicants in their activities towards promoting the independent and well-being of seniors and elders in the NWT. As the Minister and deputy may know, in my riding, a number of elders still live on the land, whether it is at 8-miles or down the Husky River or along the Peel, throughout the Delta. Would they be available to access this program? Thank you.