Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely presented a motion at the legislature this week for the Northwest Territories to seek federal humanitarian aid for Norman Wells.
The motion also calls on the territorial government to declare a state of emergency and work on “sustainable community planning” for the town.
All 10 regular MLAs present backed the motion. All six ministers present abstained. (Industry minister Caitlin Cleveland is away attending national trade meetings.)
The motion passing does not automatically mean a state of emergency is declared or federal aid will be sought. Cabinet now has 120 days to respond to those requests.
The Town of Norman Wells declared a state of emergency in October over skyrocketing gas and fuel costs as a result of resupply barge cancellations triggered by low water levels on the Mackenzie River.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
Leaders in the region spent months lobbying for action at a territorial and national level. In January, the local emergency was reinstated after the town said it had received “at best a piecemeal response” from the GNWT.
While the territorial government has offered financial assistance to Norman Wells, local leaders say the GNWT has not yet provided a concrete plan outlining how intends to support the town in the longer term.
McNeely said the town has so far received 34 percent of its total fuel for the year on the winter road. He expects another 34 percent to arrive in the coming month before the road’s anticipated closure at the end of March.
The MLA said there is widespread fear in Norman Wells over a lack of affordable supplies and resources.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“People are foreclosing on their homes. It’s a reality. I’ve met people that are doing that,” McNeely told colleagues in the legislature on Thursday.
“They are leaving the town of Norman Wells for better prospects, opportunities for themselves and their family, which will help make it more difficult for the community to succeed at large.
“It is time for the Government of Northwest Territories to step in and declare this state of an emergency and seek humanitarian aid for the community.”
Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon seconded the motion, sharing his personal experience of evacuating during the 2023 wildfires. He said at the time, communities across the territory faced a similar sense of uncertainty.
Having previously lived in Norman Wells, Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya said she understood the challenges faced by the community – especially the seniors who reside there and may be vulnerable if the town is forced to shut down services.
Communities minister Vince McKay said the GNWT has taken steps to ease the financial burden on residents and businesses. He said the territorial government is focused on both immediate relief and long-term planning “to mitigate future supply chain disruptions and to strengthen regional resiliency.”
McKay noted financial aid was rolled out to Sahtu communities to offset increased transportation costs. Affected businesses, Indigenous communities and governments can still apply for that funding up to March 7. McKay also said the territory had provided $150,000 for Norman Wells’ food bank.
He said while the challenges faced by the community are serious, they did not meet the definition of an emergency under the NWT Emergency Management Act, which he said only applies to situations “where there is immediate threat to life or critical infrastructure.”
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“Declaring a local state of emergency does not unlock federal funding or territorial funding. This has been confirmed to me by the [federal] minister of emergency preparedness and at the department level,” he said, adding the GNWT was instead committed to finding solutions for financial relief and long-term sustainability in the region.
“We’ve got the fear of our residents looking for leadership,” McNeely said as he concluded the debate and more broadly addressed other MLAs.
“What if it happens to your riding? I will be there. We will be there. As my colleague from Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh said, the fires? Huge impact. The floods? I will be there to support you.”
