Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when you look at the situation, so accommodations, we've done an RFP for B&Bs, hotels, motels, and we also are in the process, if it's not already been done, for camps. So that there is for the residents that are impacted. We are working with them. There's a number of residents that are staying with friends, family. They've got their 5th wheel I guess you'd call it. They're already working on there.

So in regards to accommodations, should they, right now if they're elderly that have disabilities or young families that are impacted by homes, we have a vetting...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the quick answer is no. We're hoping the contractors that people look at are reputable. But the contractors that we have in place, the assessors, and the abatement crews, they're reputable with these are companies that we know that are working there. We encourage the residents that are being impacted if they are going to get contractors there, make sure that they make sure that these people are reputable moving forward.

I can tell you that in the experience from my experience last year, a lot of the contractors that we used were all reputable businesses in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, previously I spoke in this House saying that we've reached out to the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada. To date, we have not received a response from him. So to give an update saying that we're getting more information, we're not getting any information.

The Member asked for getting well, we need update committee. We can update committee once we have information to provide. He talks about the website. We have other issues and other challenges, and we're more than willing to share information once we have current and important...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I have the honour of saying ‘thank you’ to a resident who is retiring. Mike Canney started working at the Fort Simpson warehouse on April 4th, 1986, with the federal government as a casual. The following year, he started work with the Department of Renewable Resources as a seasonal store person. In 1991, he was asked to fill in as the regional store person and eventually he was hired full time in that position. The position has been renamed as a material management officer.

He has always spoke highly of his employment with the department and how his...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last year my constituents were going through this as well as Little Buffalo and Fort Good Hope. So I just need to make sure people are aware there are multiple steps. Many of them are occurring at the same time. You know, the GNWT needs to see the results of the detailed damage assessments to better understand the nature and extent of the flood damage. Some houses are impacted more than others and same with businesses. Many people have already started their cleanup and repair work, and they've been in touch with their insurance providers.

And again, we...

And I thank the Member for that. So the Member is correct as soon as it was safe we had our pathfinders in. We are working with impacted residents and that. So we are encouraging people to register, whether it's online or into the Hay River evacuation centre. As I said, we've had people going door to door on the reserve. So we do have pathfinders in there working on that. So once we get that, then we will have our assessors go in and check out the damages. And so again, it's working on the process. And again, the numbers, I'm not a hundred percent sure. Last number I heard was a hundred...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before I answer the question, I need to clarify something.

Municipal and Community Affairs is working with the community handinhand. We were working with the communities before. Our regional staff are working with their staff in the and I am been in constant contact with the leadership and having that conversation of what we need to do, how we can work together, and that's the most important aspect about the communities lead, and we are there to support. We as the Government of Northwest Territories are all there to help.

In regards to the question the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I answer that question, I'd like to thank the Member for his statement. It was bang on. The leadership in K’atl’odeeche, the Chief, did an amazing job. And also the Member, we had been in constant communication throughout this disaster.

In regards to the question, so each year the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs reaches out to the affected communities, or the ones we feel that are affected. We do have plans in place with them. They have their plans. And we look at it.

We also again, it's about working we have regional staff that reach out to the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that I, along with several of my Cabinet colleagues, had the privilege of visiting both the town of Hay River, K’atl’odeeche First Nation, and West Point First Nation, earlier this week to observe the damage caused by this year’s flooding in the South Slave region. I want to thank Mayor Jameson and Chief Martel for inviting and hosting us on our tours around your communities. Thanks also to MLAs Bonnetrouge and both MLA Simpson for accompanying us and demonstrating leadership for your communities. It was eye opening to see...

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to that question there, the process is that the assessments will come in; they will do the assessment of the damage. Then the pathfinders will reach out to the impacted homeowner or businessowner and explain what the assessment is. Then we'll also have that conversation about do they need an advance, do they need this here.

Then through the process, it's basically seven to ten days once we process the advance.

So, again, it's about asking people to be a little bit patient right now as we go through the process. Once we have the...