ItSA国际影视传媒檚 going to take a little longer for the legislative assembly to debate whether to have a public inquiry into the 2023 wildfire season, but the premier has made his opposition known.

Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart introduced a motion which, if passed, would have asked the commissioner of the NWT, Margaret Thom, to strike a committee under the Public Inquiries Act. The motion asked for the commissioner to appoint four people to the board along with two people recommended by cabinet and two others recommended by the assemblySA国际影视传媒檚 Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight.

Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya seconded the motion.

But TestartSA国际影视传媒檚 motion was countered by one from Premier R.J. Simpson, who wanted debate on TestartSA国际影视传媒檚 motion delayed until Feb. 22. Deputy Premier Caroline Wawzonek seconded SimpsonSA国际影视传媒檚 motion.

SimpsonSA国际影视传媒檚 motion ended up passing thanks to Speaker Shane Thompson breaking a 9-9 tie SA国际影视传媒� Testart requested a recorded vote on the motion. All seven members of cabinet, along with Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse and Great Slave MLA Kate Reid, voted in favour of it, while all other regular MLAs voted against it.

So why did Simpson want to delay debate on TestartSA国际影视传媒檚 motion? He told SA国际影视传媒 on Friday afternoon that more time is needed to talk about it.

Also, he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 the way to go.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 of the opinion that itSA国际影视传媒檚 not the best way to do it,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not the most inclusive way and we would have no control over both costs and timing.SA国际影视传媒�

It was announced earlier this week in the House that two departments would be doing their own dive into the decisions made around the wildfires last summer.

Environment and Climate Change (ECC) Minister Jay Macdonald said an independent review of the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 emergency preparedness has been underway since November.

SA国际影视传媒淎 team of wildfire and program assessment experts will review several aspects of the 2023 season, including wildfire management decisions and operations in the field, as well as Environment and Climate ChangeSA国际影视传媒檚 wildfire program structure, budget and administrative systems,SA国际影视传媒� Macdonald told the House on Feb. 7.

McDonald said that report will be ready by next month and will be made public.

On the same day, Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) Minister Vince McKay said the GNWT would be holding public forums in communities affected by wildfires to hear from residents about what did and didnSA国际影视传媒檛 work.

McKay also committed to a SA国际影视传媒渃omprehensive and independent after-action review.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭his will be the largest after-action review ever undertaken by this government, and I want residents to know that this is a priority for this government,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e already know that it will highlight gaps in last yearSA国际影视传媒檚 emergency response, but it will also inform how we collectively prepare for, manage and recover from emergencies in the future.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭he ECC review is the more technical one and itSA国际影视传媒檚 being done by a third-party contractor, and the MACA one is still finalizing the terms of reference,SA国际影视传媒� said Simpson. SA国际影视传媒淭his way may take a bit longer, but we want things to be done properly so we can see what needs to be done and make sure we have things in place. In my opinion, this will be better than having a public inquiry.SA国际影视传媒�

When it comes to cost, Simpson said a public inquiry wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 make financial sense.

SA国际影视传媒淚f we have our own review, we can recover those costs from federal recovery funding,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淯nder a public inquiry, we wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be able to get that money refunded.SA国际影视传媒�

The City of Yellowknife announced late Tuesday afternoon that its after-action review was set to begin with accounting firm KPMG contracted to perform the research and write the report.

Simpson indicated that the citySA国际影视传媒檚 report could make up part of a larger review that would see other organizations SA国际影视传媒� communities and Indigenous governments SA国际影视传媒� included.