Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past summer, our communities faced another period of unprecedented threat from wildfires resulting in multiple evacuation that disrupted lives, strained resources, and highlighted the vulnerabilities in the GNWT wildfires management.
In a span of three days this past summer, the communities of Whati and Fort Providence were forced to evacuate due to rapidly advancing wildfires. The fire was burning out of control in Gameti as well. It came close to their golf course. These evacuations are not isolated, Mr. Speaker. They are part of a growing, growing pattern of climate-driven emergencies that demand a shift from reactive to proactive wildfire strategies.
Since the mass evacuation of the 2023 wildfire season, I have heard countless times from many frustrated residents, former NWT MLA and MP have said it as well, that when the federal government oversaw the forest fire program, they would extinguish the fire at the outset. Now that the territory government is in charge, they let the land burn, to let the fire burn itself out, and that action is only taken when a fire is near a community as we have seen this past summer.
Mr. Speaker, hearing this repeatedly tells me that the GNWT wildfire management program is failing. Climate change and its effect can no longer be ignored by government policy. Wildfires, regardless of their proximity to communities, must be fought at the earliest possible stage when they are small and manageable.
I want to take this time to thank and support the Whati and Fort Providence evacuees. Thank you for your generosity and kindness. I also want to thank our firefighters and community government workers for the work that they do in keeping our people and communities safe. They are to be commended.
Mr. Speaker, as I have said before in my comments, my frustration is not directed at them --
-- Member from Monfwi, Member for Monfwi, your time is up.
(audio)
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Member for Monfwi is asking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Seeing none, Member from Monfwi.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I have said, they are to be commended, the workers.
Mr. Speaker, my frustration and comments were not directed at them. It was towards the GNWT government policy that needs to change before a community is destroyed as we have seen in fire 2023, and people's lives are put in jeopardy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Range Lake.
