This is page numbers 385 - 416 of the Hansard for the 20th Assembly, 1st Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was know.

Topics

Motion to Amend Motion 23-20(1): Call to Uphold Human Rights in Gaza, Carried
Motions

February 29th

Page 398

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Motion to Amend Motion 23-20(1): Call to Uphold Human Rights in Gaza, Carried
Motions

February 29th

Page 398

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Question has been called. Does the mover wish to close debate? Member from Great Slave.

Motion to Amend Motion 23-20(1): Call to Uphold Human Rights in Gaza, Carried
Motions

February 29th

Page 398

Kate Reid

Kate Reid Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this motion is, as folks before me have said, highly emotional, and I also believe it's a highly personal choice, and I respect every single Member in this House to take what decision they take to heart and I respect whatever choice that may be and what that looks like for them. I'm here in my role as a Member to represent my riding and also my own conscience.

I want to speak a little bit about why this motion is important to me and why I feel it's the right thing to do.

When I first met with a Palestinian member of our community in Yellowknife late last year, he asked me why I was willing to take action up to and including those that I have taken today. I told him, first, because I'm a human being. What I think I was trying to say to him was that I can't watch innocent people be harmed and not try to do something even if it's just donations to humanitarian aid or signing petitions, like folks in the gallery have done, or whatever I think may be in small -- some small part helpful. That is who I am. Now that I am an elected official, I will continue to be the person I have always been, which is someone who wants to help when people are in pain, struggling, or suffering.

I also told him that I grew up with key people in any life teaching me of the Jewish faith. I considered my godmother my auntie growing up, and she was someone I looked to for moral and ethical guidance. I say looked to because she passed in 2002, and may her memory be a blessing.

Like all major world religions, Judaism is rooted in the love for your neighbour, as yourself. Later in life, I was drawn to practicing Zen Buddhism. Without going into a lot of detail, it has informed my way of looking at the world insofar as I believe all human beings on this planet are deeply connected and perhaps in ways we cannot fully verbalize or understand. And so I'm passionate about the interconnectedness of our world, our common threads of humanity. So when I see what is happening in Gaza, I am heartbroken on that level.

On a very personal note, I want to say publicly that by taking these actions I expected that I might be, and all likelihood will be, shunned by my late godmother's family. This also breaks my heart. But this motion and this issue is something I feel I must stand up for and do what is in my power to help and, too, much like the Members who have spoken before, you know, I think it is the best work we can do is to do work where we live, work, and play in the Northwest Territories, and that's why I'm in this House. But it's also why I'm standing up for my community members who are in pain every day not knowing if their friends and family are still alive and watching a genocide unfold before them on their televisions and cell phones. I must follow my conscience and stand for them.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, I would like to request a recorded vote.

Motion to Amend Motion 23-20(1): Call to Uphold Human Rights in Gaza, Carried
Motions

February 29th

Page 398

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Question has been called and the Member has asked for a recorded vote. All those in favour, please stand.

Motion to Amend Motion 23-20(1): Call to Uphold Human Rights in Gaza, Carried
Motions

February 29th

Page 398

Deputy Clerk Of The House Ms. Joelene Saturnino

The Member from Great Slave. The Member from Mackenzie Delta. The Member for Yellowknife North. The Member for Sahtu. The Member for Yellowknife Centre. The Member for Range Lake. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake. And the Member for Frame Lake.

Motion to Amend Motion 23-20(1): Call to Uphold Human Rights in Gaza, Carried
Motions

February 29th

Page 398

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

All those opposed, please stand. For all those abstaining, please stand.

Recorded Vote
Motions

February 29th

Page 399

Deputy Clerk Of The House Ms. Joelene Saturnino

The Member for Thebacha. The Member for Yellowknife South. The Member for Kam Lake. The Member for Hay River North. The Member for Hay River South. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. The Member for Nunakput. The Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. The Member for Deh Cho. And the Member for Monfwi.

Recorded Vote
Motions

February 29th

Page 399

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

The results are 8 in favour, zero opposed, 10 for abstaining. The motion has passed.

---Carried

Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Minister's Statement 4-20(1), Minister's Statement 5-20(1), Minister's Statement 17-20(1), Minister's Statement 24-20(1), with the Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh in the chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 29th

Page 399

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Calling committee to order. I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? I'm going to go to Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Rodgers.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 29th

Page 399

Denny Rodgers

Denny Rodgers Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that the chair rise and report progress.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 29th

Page 399

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Does committee agree?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 29th

Page 399

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 29th

Page 399

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. There is a motion on the floor to report progress, and the motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour to the motion. All those opposed? Motion carried.

---Carried

I will now rise and report progress. Mahsi.

Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Report Of Committee Of The Whole

February 29th

Page 399

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

May I have the report of the Committee of the Whole. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Report Of Committee Of The Whole

February 29th

Page 399

Richard Edjericon

Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Minister's Statement 4-20(1), Minister's Statement 5-20(1), Minister's Statement 17-20(1), Minister's Statement 24-20(1) and would like to report progress. And, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Report Of Committee Of The Whole

February 29th

Page 399

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Thank you, Member. Do I have a seconder for the report of the Committee of the Whole? Member from the Deh Cho. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion has been carried, and the report of Committee of the Whole has been concurred with.

---Carried

Third reading of bills.

Madam Clerk, can you please see if the Honourable Margaret Thom, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, is ready to enter Chambers to ascend to the bills.

---SHORT RECESS

Assent To Bills
Assent To Bills

February 29th, 2024

Page 399

The Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories Margaret M. Thom

[Translation] I am very happy that I'm here today. So I'd like to thank you with all my heart and that all of you are here today. I'm very happy to see each one of you, that I'd like to be very thankful for. And just prior to Christmas, that was when I was present here, and from then on I haven't seen each one of you and so I'm hoping that everybody will be okay and that's including our family, our friends, and whoever you are here to represent throughout the region. And I'm hoping that everybody will have a very good holiday.

And the new MLAs here, I'd like to thank each one of you. And it is very important that here that we're able to use our language that I'm very thankful for. Mahsi. [Translation ends]

And most importantly to see you all again. Last time I was here was before the holidays, so I hope you all have an enjoyable time with family, friends, and your constituents.

Our government must be applauded for gifting us to speak our Indigenous languages in this great House. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon. It is always a pleasure to be in this House with you who serve the people of the Northwest Territories. I want to recognize all your hard work on behalf of the residents of the NWT. I would also like to congratulate you on establishing the priorities for the 20th Legislative Assembly. These priorities are a good basis for moving the Northwest Territories forward and addressing our many needs and opportunities.

February has been a very busy and productive month not only for this Legislative Assembly but also for many others. Along with February being hard month, Black History Month, February is also Indigenous Language Month. As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am proud to speak my language in this House.

Maintaining and revitalizing Indigenous languages is central to the identity of Indigenous people, the preservation of our cultures, world view, and expression of self-determination. I believe that if you do not speak your Indigenous language, there are ways to showcase your Indigenous pride through traditional dress, footwear, and participating in cultural events and ceremonies.

Unfortunately, in late January there was a tragic plane crash near Fort Smith. It is with profound sense of grief that I offer my condolences to all those affected by the tragic loss of lives. I will continue to pray for all of you in the days, weeks, and months to come. I would also like to express my heartfelt and sincere best wishes for the ongoing recovery and healing of the crash survivor.

As Northerners, there is little we cannot achieve when we come together. Although I am deeply saddened, I am proud of the people of Fort Smith and all Northerners who are sharing in their grief and providing support in many ways. My prayers and blessings are with you all.

This will be my last address to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. I am deeply grateful for this government and the past government to have welcomed me in this role as Commissioner. It has been a great honour to serve and support you in your very, very important roles.

---Applause

So as my final act in this legislature as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to ascend to the following bills:

  • Bill 1: An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act;
  • Bill 4: Interim Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2024-2025;
  • Bill 5: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2023-2024; and,
  • Bill 6: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2023-2024.

Mahsi cho. I wish you all well. I wish you all the best. Thank you. Merci beaucoup. Mahsi cho. Quyananni. Kwana.

Assent To Bills
Assent To Bills

February 29th

Page 399

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Colleagues, I'd like to thank Commissioner Thom for her last official duties here in the Legislative Assembly.

Orders of the day. Madam Clerk.

Orders Of The Day
Orders Of The Day

February 29th

Page 399

Deputy Clerk Of The House Ms. Jolene Saturnino

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Orders of the day for Thursday, May 23rd, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

  1. Prayer
  2. Ministers' Statements
  3. Members' Statements
  4. Returns to Oral Questions
  • Oral Question 62-20(1): Consultation with Members of the Legislative Assembly on Policies and Strategies
  1. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
  2. Acknowledgements
  3. Oral Questions
  4. Written Questions
  5. Returns to Written Questions
  6. Replies to the Commissioner's Address
  7. Petitions
  8. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
  9. Reports of Standing and Special Committees
  10. Tabling of Documents
  11. Notices of Motion
  12. Motions
  13. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
  14. First Reading of Bills
  15. Second Reading of Bills
  16. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
  • Minister's Statement 4-20(1): 2023 Wildfire Season Review and Planning for the 2024 Season
  • Minister's Statement 5-20(1): Emergency Management Preparation
  • Minister's Statement 17-20(1): Reaching Average $10 a day Child Care in the NWT
  • Minister's Statement 24-20(1): Health Human Resources Recruitment and Retention
  1. Report of Committee of the Whole
  2. Third Reading of Bills
  3. Orders of the Day

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Orders Of The Day
Orders Of The Day

February 29th

Page 400

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Colleagues, as one of our colleagues said, we're going to be gone for 82 days. Please enjoy your time back home. Continue to do your hard work for your constituents and for the people of the Northwest Territories. So thank you very much for your time for the last three weeks, and enjoy.

This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, May 23, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 4:41 p.m.