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ENTERPRISE
The Hamlet of Enterprise will be looking for territorial government money to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a highway rescue and ground ambulance service in the community on Highway 1.

Terry Testart: Enterprise should apply for funding.

Hamlet council passed a motion on Feb. 6 to seek the funding.

However, Terry Testart, senior administrative officer for the hamlet, said there is no guarantee the community will get any funding from the GNWT because of criteria issues.

Testart told council he discussed the possibility of emergency rescue and ambulance service in Enterprise at a recent meeting with Kevin Brezinski, the director of public safety with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), and fire marshal Steve Moss.

Testart said MACA offers $40,000 annually for equipment and training to communities which already provide such services.

"Enterprise is not doing that," he said. "But they recognize the geographic location of Enterprise and they also recognize the limited population of Enterprise."

Testart said it is possible some sort of exception or arrangement might be made to allow funding for Enterprise.

When contacted by News/North, Brezinski said the criteria of the Ground Ambulance and Highway Rescue Services Contribution Policy doesn't support feasibility studies.

"The program wouldn't finance that, unless extenuating circumstances permit it," he said. "It's very clear what's permitted through the program. A feasibility study isn't an eligible item or activity at this time."

Brezinski said that means the community would have to look at doing the study itself.

However, that might not be the final word on the issue.

Policies are written in such a way that a minister could make exceptions to the criteria, Brezinski said. "They're all written that way. That was what we conveyed to the community."

At the Feb. 6 council meeting, Testart said the cost of a feasibility study is normally split 50/50 between communities and the GNWT.

Councillors were enthusiastic about a feasibility study, even if the hamlet might have to pay half of the cost and provided territorial funding becomes available.

"I think paying 50 per cent of the cost would be a cheap price if the end result is the possibility of having an ambulance service in our community," said Coun. Allan Flamand.

The councillor said an ambulance service in Enterprise will save lives, so bickering about a few thousand dollars is ridiculous.

"We should just go for it," he said.

Other councillors also supported an application for funding for a feasibility study, even if the hamlet may have to pay a share.

"I think it's still worthwhile," said Coun. Jim Dives.

Currently, emergency rescue and a ground ambulance in Enterprise or on nearby stretches of Highway 1 come from Hay River, which is 38 km away on Highway 2.

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