Independent report on N.W.T. gov't response to 2023 wildfires delayed until May

An independent report examining how the Northwest Territories government responded to the catastrophic 2023 wildfires won't be made public until later this spring — months after it was originally expected. 

Results of the independent review were initially slated to be released in December, but the government now says that will happen in mid-May. The wildfire season begins May 1.

Several engagement sessions were held last year to gather feedback on the territorial government's emergency response in 2023.

A contractor was hired in June to conduct the review as an arm's-length third party working independently.

The review would "focus on risk monitoring, emergency preparedness activities, response activities, operational and public communications, and transition to recovery, which includes re-entry planning, repatriation and damage assessments," according to government news release at the time. 

Erica Thomas is the CEO of the Edmonton-based consulting company, Transitional Solutions Inc., which was hired to do the review. In an email to CBC News, she said the report was delayed to allow more time to gather feedback in communities this past fall.

Thomas said her team visited 11 communities across the territory, for small group sessions. The team also received over 300 online survey responses. However, extending the engagement timeline to allow more time in communities caused logistical delays, she said.

"We are very happy with the response both via surveys and through in-person engagement, and would like to thank the community for their participation and allowing us the opportunity to engage with them on the 2023 wildfires," Thomas wrote.

The review includes an examination of the N.W.T. government's internal documents as well as its communications with communities about the emergency.

The public input, government documents, and responses from officials will inform a set of recommendations in the report, for the government to review.

In an email to CBC News, a territorial government spokesperson said that once the report is received by the government it will be made public.

This is the second of the two after-action reviews of the 2023 wildfire season, focusing on the government's overall response with emergency preparation, evacuations and public safety operations.

The first one, released last year, focused on the department of Environment and Climate Change's (ECC) preparedness and response.