Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today, I want to speak on behalf of residents of Fort Providence who were forced to evacuate their homes this past summer due to wildfires threatening their community. This evacuation was not a short-term disruption; it lasted for almost two weeks. Due to the prolonged evacuation, individuals and families alike faced significant financial strain. Many had to pay out-of-pocket for fuel, food, lodging, and other essentials, often far from home and without access to support.
Mr. Speaker, the GNWT's Emergency Evacuation Relief Program provides a one-time payment of $800 per adult and $400 per child, but this amount does not reflect the true cost of a prolonged evacuation. For many families, these funds were exhausted within days, and they didn't get the funds right away. The program does not account for extended hotel stays, multiple trips, or the cost of replacing lost food and supplies. Some evacuees had to relocate more than once, and others faced additional costs caring for elders, children, or pets. In some cases, families had to take unpaid time off work, adding to the financial pressure.
The reality is that the cost of evacuation in the North is high. Communities like Fort Providence are remote, and options for affordable accommodation and transportation are limited. Evacuees had to travel long distance, pay premium rates for lodging, and rely on personal savings or credit to get through the evacuation period. The expenses incurred by evacuees were very simply survival costs. I'm calling on the Minister of Finance to ensure that evacuees from Fort Providence are fully and fairly reimbursed. We need to ensure that reimbursement reflects the reality of northern evacuation where distances are great, costs are high, and support systems are limited.
Mr. Speaker, our residents did what they were asked to do. They evacuated for their safety and the safety of others. Now they deserve to be supported, not just with words, but with meaningful financial assistance. I urge the Minister to work with the communities to assess the true costs and provide additional reimbursements where needed. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions for the Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Mackenzie Delta.
