Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister confirm if any payments have been disbursed today? How have they been disbursed. Is it by direct deposit, EMT, Canada Post? What is the timing between application and disbursement of payments, as there are many evacuees needing the funds now and asking when they should expect payment, and I just need to know what to tell them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, evacuees see what Alberta evacuees received and are expecting no less. Alberta evacuees received $1,250 per adult and $550 per dependent child, and the payment was not incomebased.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Finance what was the rationale for settling on a payment of $750 per person, and why was it based on income disruption and not an actual cost incurred as this may exclude many evacuees? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the Rule 5.6(2) be amended by adding the following after Rule 5.6(2)(c): "(d) shall not refer to any matter on the Orders for that day."

As a part of making Assemblies more familyfriendly, some legislatures across Canada allow a parent to bring an infant into the Chamber. Committee believes the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly should continue to make efforts to make this institution more familyfriendly and recommends:

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 1.9(4) be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, knowing that we have had an early start to the fire season, I ask the Minister what plans are in place to help communities with fire smarting, such as building fire guards around the community, or is that responsibility placed squarely on the shoulders of the community governments and who would fund such initiatives? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister confirm the department was prepared to immediately action the fire on the K'atlodeeche lands; and, how long did it take to mobilize upon receiving word that there was an active fire that was becoming out of control; and, how effective was the response using ground crews and equipment, helicopters, 802s, Electras, and I understand they were even considering bringing in C215s. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the last two weeks for many residents of K'atlodeeche and Hay River has been emotional and traumatizing. Residents of K'atlodeeche had little time in which to evacuate as the fire approached quickly. As well, Hay River residents were also asked to leave in the early morning hours.

Mr. Speaker, many have expressed their appreciation for the work done by firefighters and emergency measures personnel throughout this distressing ordeal. They are the ones on the frontline, and I would like to say thank you to all of them.

Mr. Speaker, it is also important that we...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this fire is still being actioned although it's being held. We know personnel time out and replacements are needed. I ask the Minister, did the department bring in replacement personnel equipment from other regions or out of territory; and, what is the department's longterm plan for personnel and equipment considering the potential for fires this season? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and bear with me. It takes a disaster to spur government to action which, at times, there's a play book and other times there is none. A question being asked is could we have done better? The answer is almost always yes. However, when we are dealing with a disaster as it unfolds, we need to rely on those schooled to the type of disaster at hand, who have firsthand information of what is actually taking place on the ground as with this fire that happened in the South Slave. Having a front row seat to the fire on the K'atlodeeche lands, I was impressed with the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm pleased to hear that there's a minister  a federal minister in the gallery. I didn't even know that.

Mr. Speaker, residents and businesses in the NWT are struggling. How does this government expect to provide immediate support while we are waiting on this cheap green energy that's supposed to show up at some point? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister also ask the federal government to consider exempting residents and businesses of the Northwest Territories from carbon tax? Thank you.