The Minister responsible for municipal and community affairs faced tough questions in the Legislative Assembly March 7 for his departmentsSA国际影视传媒� response to the sudden death in Fort Smith.

The community of Fort Smith was rocked by a sudden and suspicious death early on Friday, March 4, which led to a day-long shelter-in-place order and a days-long manhunt by the . A 17 year-old was arrested on Sunday in connection with a series of break-ins and the theft of a vehicle and multiple firearms.

During this time, the Town of Fort Smith was providing regular updates to the situation via its Facebook page. However, during an Assembly sitting on Monday, Great Slave MLA Katrina Nokleby argued the GNWT should have played a role in keeping residents up to date. Over the weekend, the GNWT was not providing updates on its social media channels, and as of March 7, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs had not published any releases on its website on the situation.

SA国际影视传媒淭he were busy doing their job; Why couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 the government communicate to reassure residents that things were still ongoing and they couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 leave their homes?SA国际影视传媒� asked Nokleby.

Minister Shane Thompson said that all levels of government, as well as individual departments, have a role to play in communication during an emergency. SA国际影视传媒淚n this situation here, it was the who were responsible law enforcement,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey were the lead agency on the tragic events that were happening, and they were the ones in charge of the situation.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲e as a government, the Northwest Territories, do not want to get misinformation out there.SA国际影视传媒�

That didnSA国际影视传媒檛 satisfy the Yellowknife MLA.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 understand why this government, if they are being notified by the , cannot turn around and utilize social media and other methods in order to inform residents,SA国际影视传媒� said Nokleby. SA国际影视传媒淭his is not a silo. This is a multi-departmental and multi-agency function, and for this government to wash its hands, yet again, at the disadvantage of our citizens is not acceptable.SA国际影视传媒�

Thompson said that SA国际影视传媒� there will be lessons learnedSA国际影视传媒� following the weekendSA国际影视传媒檚 events: SA国际影视传媒淲e will be working with Justice and Health and the community and the on this,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Nokleby asked Thompson to respond to a rumour that the stolen weapons belonged to the Department of Lands.

In response, Thompson said only that SA国际影视传媒渁ll equipment on site in Fort Smith was securely and safely stored in adherence [to] the policies and legislation of this government.SA国际影视传媒�

Thompson wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 respond to a question from Nokleby about the theft of firearms from a GNWT office.

Nokleby also criticized SA国际影视传媒渢he lack of information from any of cabinet over the weekend about what was happening,SA国际影视传媒� asking: SA国际影视传媒淐an the minister please commit that next time, as anything is occurring, that he actually notifies other members that things are going on in this territory?SA国际影视传媒�

Thompson said both he and the premier had reached out to Thebacha MLA Frieda Martselos once they were made aware of the incident, as well as the ministers of Justice and Health.

SA国际影视传媒淭he leadership in that community, including the , they took the roles and responsibilities sincerely,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e donSA国际影视传媒檛 want to get out there spreading rumours until we have facts.SA国际影视传媒�