Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the town of Norman Wells issued a humanitarian state of an emergency October 15, 2024. Under the Emergency Management Act, a declaration of an emergency would mean the price of fuel could be fixed by the responsible Minister and there may be opportunities for federal support. The following summary explains the trigger mechanism for the declaration and the items in the act that concern the prices of fuel in section 17.

Mr. Speaker, section 17(1), paragraph 1, the Minister may procure, ration, or fix prices for food, fuel, equipment, medical supplies, and...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I rise today in order to report progress. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My follow-up question on my questions earlier is to the Minister of MACA. And before I ask this question, I want to emphasize the crisis that we're experiencing here. I continuously get texts here. The text reads: $1,500 for 280 liters, one-quarter of a tank, for my fuel at the house tank. And it's not even the dead of winter yet. That's just one of many that I'm receiving. My question to the Minister is the Minister of MACA willing to invite mayor Frank Pope and proceed on setting up a meeting with the federal counterpart to address the situation in person; would the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister for that reply. Would the Minister provide a briefing or backup documents specific to the state and the discussion happening between his office or this government and the federal government and provide that to my office and the mayor of Norman Wells? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have legislation at our disposal. My follow-up first question to my statement is addressed to the Minister of MACA. Will the Minister of MACA accept the humanitarian state of an emergency issued by the town of Norman Wells? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister that is willing to look at this situation. Considering the fraction of the cost going for both leaders to Ottawa is critical to what is actually happening on the ground level back in Norman Wells, so I certainly welcome the opportunity to discuss details but that's my position on encouraging the Minister to make a commitment with the company of mayor Pope, proceed to Ottawa. Some things are just best said in person and keeping in mind that you got to also educate the bureaucracy of both levels of government to emphasize the urgent need for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister. That information to the leaders would be beneficial.

Now for the public residents, will the Minister support a press release on the state of emergency and the actions taken and future actions to be taken? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister for those comforting words. The residents of the Sahtu very much appreciate the words of support and acknowledgement in receipt of that state of an emergency declaration.

The unique opportunity is here. And my next question, will the Minister of MACA provide this notification to the federal public safety Ministers while they are in Yellowknife today or tomorrow or whenever they leave? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question to the Minister here, and I feel this is a very large, multimillion-dollar situation, and I don't feel comfortable in asking four questions on behalf of the Sahtu, but I'm going to ask my last one with some extra reserves for tomorrow. Will the Minister agree that this is a crisis emergency situation? Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, following up on my statement here earlier today, my questions are to the Minister of Finance. I feel we have discussed this situation at length and are now comfortable to address for Norman Wells' high, high cost of living and fuel.

My first question: Will the Minister of Finance agree to cover the air fuel transportation costs to Norman Wells? Mahsi.