N.W.T. MLAs call on territorial gov't to declare state of emergency in Norman Wells

N.W.T. MLAs are calling on the territorial government to declare a state of emergency in Norman Wells for humanitarian reasons. 

Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely brought the motion forward Thursday saying that rising food insecurity and heating costs, along with increasingly unreliable infrastructure for resupply, are making life and business in Norman Wells extremely difficult.    

The motion calls on the territory to recognize the town's state of emergency and communicate that to the federal government. It also calls on the government to develop a procedure for responding to any "humanitarian state of emergency" in the territory.

The motion passed with all 10 present MLAs voting in favour, and the six present cabinet ministers abstaining. 

McNeely told the assembly that rising costs are forcing Norman Wells residents to foreclose their homes, that some are leaving the town for opportunity elsewhere, and that seniors living on low incomes can't afford the basics. 

"The community is in a state of fear," he said. 

It's all tied to low water levels on the Mackenzie River in recent years, grounding barges that would usually resupply the community and forcing fuel to be flown in — a costly alternative.

When the town declared its own state of emergency last fall, councillors noted at the time that if the territory would also declare a state of emergency, it would afford the department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) more authority to offer support under the territory's Emergency Management Act. 

But MACA Minister Vince McKay said the challenges the town faces don't meet the territory's definition for emergency under the act, and that declaring a local state of emergency doesn't unlock federal or territorial funding. 

"A state of emergency applies only to situations where there is immediate threat to life or critical infrastructure," he said.   

Still, McKay says the government is committed to supporting Norman Wells and the Sahtu region, and is working to address both immediate relief and long-term planning. 

McKay pointed to supports the territory rolled out over the winter including a $150,000 donation to the Norman Wells food bank, doubling the home heating subsidy for seniors in Norman Wells, and a $1.8-million emergency fund for businesses, Indigenous and community governments in the Sahtu and Beaufort Delta to offset transportation costs. 

McKay said the territory is also continuing work to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway to reduce reliance on seasonal transport. 

Norman Wells Mayor Frank Pope said he's proud of McNeely for continuing to advocate for the community and for canvassing support from other MLAs. 

Pope said the town is also facing the threat of Imperial Oil's departure, and the looming ripples that loss would create for work, transfer payments and taxes.

Whether the town's challenges qualify as an emergency under the N.W.T. act, Pope says Norman Wells isn't giving up. 

The N.W.T. has 120 days to respond to Thursday's motion.

"In the meantime, we are not backing off. We are going to continue to work on behalf of our community," Pope said.