Check against delivery.

Mr. Speaker, we are more prepared for wildfires this year than we have been heading into any other previous season, and that is good news for everyone.

We have new initiatives moving forward. We are building facilities that we need, and we are getting more communities and local people trained and equipped. We have increasingly focused on prevention and mitigation, operational readiness, and strong coordination with communities, Indigenous governments, local fire departments, and other partners.

Mr. Speaker, wildfire management staff at the Department of Environment and Climate Change complete extensive off-season planning and training to ensure our workforce is skilled, qualified, and ready to respond to wildfires across the territory.

Our capacity is now greater and has been strengthened through expanded mentorship opportunities and cross-training, like supporting experienced staff to take on the critical role of Duty Officer. This year, seven new Duty Officers are being trained through this program, which will encourage succession planning and help to ensure strong and sustainable leadership for our wildfire response teams.

Mr. Speaker, we know we cannot do this alone. Collaboration with communities, local fire departments, Indigenous governments and our key partners is essential.

The FireSmart program has been up and running for years, and each season we add more communities. This program, like many other pieces, is a tool in the prevention and response toolkit that has local fire departments taking on the FireSmart work after they have been trained by us. The more communities we have in the NWT taking part, the stronger and more prepared we are.

Another example of this kind of collaboration is the newly announced NWT Wildland Urban Interface program, or WUI, which provides a standardized framework for training, deployment, and integration of structural and wildland fire services when wildfires threaten communities. This program is one of the ways we are ensuring our communities are ready for emergencies. It is also a direct response and fulfillment of a 2023 After Action Review recommendation.

Mr. Speaker, our 2026 preparations have also included additional investments in equipment to help protect communities, including the purchase of two new structure protection units, and funding for units for two municipalities.

Our establishment of the Wildland Urban Interface Coordinating Group has led to the development of new program guidelines, a framework for operating safely within a wildfire-impacted community, training materials, and an experience-tracking system.

The GNWT worked hand-in-hand with the NWT Fire Chiefs Association to ensure this program is practical and responsive to community needs.  We saw success last year with WUI-trained local fire departments stepping up and helping protect communities. With more departments this year, a framework and additional WUI training, they stand ready to respond again, if needed.

Mr. Speaker, responding to fires in 2026 is not our only focus. We are making investments now to strengthen our readiness in the future. I am proud to say that earlier this spring, we marked an important milestone by achieving one of our longer-term goals: the groundbreaking for the new Territorial Wildfire Centre in Fort Smith. This long-anticipated Centre reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality public services, especially as climate change creates longer and more challenging wildfire seasons. With expanded warehousing, modern duty room operations, and increased space for personnel, this facility will significantly improve how we coordinate wildfire response across regions, manage and deploy critical equipment, and support the people on the front lines who protect our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the employees that work at the Forest Management Division of Environment and Climate Change. They work year-round to recover, and ready themselves for the upcoming fire season. Over the next few months, they will work tirelessly for long hours, often under extreme stress, to manage wildfires and do everything in their power to protect our homes and the places we love.

Preventing wildfires and protecting our communities is a shared responsibility, and we all need to do our part.

We all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe and lessening the burden on others. I ask residents to please do not be the person who causes a wildfire. As people enjoy our beautiful NWT summers, I encourage everyone to be cautious when spending time on the land. Please make sure your campfire is entirely put out before you leave. A single spark can start a wildfire.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.