Under significant threat of wildfire, an evacuation order was issued for all of Enterprise, K’atl’odeeche First Nation, and Hay River NT shortly after 3:00pm on Sunday, August 13, 2023.
Except for firefighters and essential personnel, all residents as well as Fort Smith residents who had evacuated to Hay River only hours before to escape another wildfire threatening their town, were required to leave the area as high temperatures and wind conditions created extreme risk and highway corridors were compromised.
The evacuation notice called for immediate action. The Northwest Territories Ombud’s Office closed, and grabbing only the bare essentials, staff evacuated along with their families to Edmonton and area. Once settled in temporary accommodations, Ombud Colette Langlois and her staff quickly turned their minds to the office’s operation and minimizing disruption for citizens who wished to get in contact. Amid the crisis, which happened on a Sunday afternoon, staff had no time to go to the office to gather their work laptops or any other equipment. Langlois recognized the situation posed significant challenges and a lack of privacy for staff to conduct their work. She picked up the phone and found immediate support from her counterpart Alberta Ombudsman, Kevin Brezinski, who quickly opened spaces in his office.
“We were following the news of the fires in the northern areas, and prepared to help in any way possible,” said Brezinski. “Despite being displaced, Colette and her staff have stayed positive and hopeful for the people of the Northwest Territories.”
Both Ombuds are members of the Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO), a council comprised of independent provincial and territorial Ombudsman whose mandate it is to ensure people are being treated fairly in the delivery of public services. As a community, members come together in support when challenges arise, and this time was no different.
“I want to thank my CCPO friends and colleagues for their many kind words and offers of help and support since we evacuated…,” posted Ombud Langlois on LinkedIn. “If there is a silver lining to this, it’s that NWT Ombud staff are finally able to meet some of their Alberta counterparts in person. Thanks to Alberta Ombudsman for generously providing workspace so that we can continue to be there for people who need us.”
Nearly four weeks later, with conditions constantly changing, the evacuation order remains in effect with no clear return date in sight and significant losses in the nearby Hamlet of Enterprise and parts of Hay River. Both offices remain supportive and grateful for the opportunity to work together through these trying times.
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Despite the temporary closure, the Office of the Northwest Territories Ombud is still available and checking messages regularly. For contact information, please visit their website at: https://nwtombud.ca/
