I'd to thank Pastor Newfton from -- I just brutalized that. Nelton from the Joint Task Forth North for our opening our session today. Ministers' statements. Mr. Premier.

Mr. Speaker, earlier today I had the honour of joining you and other Members of this House at the First Poppy Ceremony, marking the beginning of the season of Remembrance to honour the veterans and serving Members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Remembrance Day has been observed in Canada since 1919. It was originally known as Armistice Day and marked the end of the First World War in 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Each year since then Canadians have taken this day as a moment of solemn reflection.

Remembrance is our collective duty. On November 11th, we pause for a moment of silence to remember and honour all people who have served, who serve today, and those who sacrificed their lives for Canada to protect our country from current and future threats, and to safeguard our freedoms through generations.

Mr. Speaker, for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us and for those who continue to protect us, I would ask and encourage all residents of the Northwest Territories to take the time to pause, reflect, and honour them, not only on November 11th, but each and every day. Lest we forget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Ministers' statements. Minister from ECE.

Mr. Speaker, during the last sitting, I committed to keeping this Legislative Assembly informed about the steps our government is taking to support adult learning and community-based education in response to Aurora College's decision to close community learning centres earlier this year.

Today, I rise to share an important milestone in that work. Mr. Speaker, I am going to begin my update in Dene Zhati.

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Mr. Speaker, this new initiative is about meeting people where they are at home, in their communities, and ensuring they have the tools to succeed in today's labour market.

Over the next 18 months, we anticipate delivering this training in ten different communities, with the first four rolling out in Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Fort Providence later this fall. The NWT Literacy Council will engage with Indigenous governments and communities to help identify communities for further deliveries in 2026-2027.

This program includes five weeks of classroom-based instruction, followed by two weeks of supported work placements, volunteer opportunities, or community projects. Participants will gain foundational skills such as resume writing, communication, digital literacy, teamwork, financial literacy, and workplace readiness. Importantly, the training is designed to prepare participants for the demands of the modern labour market while being tailored to the local community context.

Mr. Speaker, this is not a pilot. It is a proven model. In recent years, the NWT Literacy Council delivered similar programming to 60 participants across communities including Whati, Wekweeti, Behchoko, Fort Simpson, Gameti, Aklavik, and Fort McPherson. The results speak for themselves: 71 percent of participants went on to secure employment or pursue further education, including programs at Aurora College. This new agreement builds on that success.

The training will include a strong cultural foundation by incorporating on the land learning and teachings from Indigenous knowledge holders. It also includes wraparound supports such as childcare, mental health supports, training allowances, and access to healthy food. Employers participating in the on-the-job component will receive wage subsidies to support learners.

Mr. Speaker, this agreement is about more than training; it's about empowerment. It's about ensuring Northerners have access to new opportunities and building stronger communities through education, employment, and partnership. I want to thank the NWT Literacy Council for their leadership and collaboration in making this initiative possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Ministers' statements. Mr. Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to update you on progress made by the Government of the Northwest Territories' sector support initiative for non-governmental organizations. In response to the 2023 external advisory committee report on strengthening the non-profit and charitable sector, the GNWT has committed to building stronger relationships, cutting red tape, and making funding more reliable for NGOs. A cross-departmental committee is actively addressing the report's recommendations. This includes updating the NGO funding guide, developing training on implementing the guide, and strengthening relationships between the GNWT and NGOs. As part of this work, we are taking a fresh look at how we fund NGOs to make sure our support helps them deliver services that contribute to GNWT priorities and meet government goals.

NGOs now have access to GNWT training courses, and we have set up regular ways to share information, work together, and hear feedback from people in the sector.

Our territory-wide survey on the anti-poverty fund and on the NGO stabilization fund led to immediate changes to application processes. We made it easier to apply by eliminating the need for applicants to provide the same information more than once, and new processes allow us to notify applicants earlier about whether their application was successful and how much funding they will receive.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs are leading the development of an emergency social supports framework to better integrate NGOs into emergency management planning. We will be asking NGOs that provide human safety and security services to vulnerable residents to help shape this framework.

We have also asked GNWT departments to work with their key NGO partners when developing departmental business continuity plans. These plans lay out how departments will keep their most important services running during and after major disruptions like natural disasters, a cyber-attack, or a pandemic.

Mr. Speaker, NGOs often deliver services more effectively than government and play a vital role in supporting our most vulnerable residents. By moving to a new partnership model based on mutual respect, we can better align our goals, streamline processes, and improve how services are delivered. By working together more closely with clear roles, shared accountability, better communication, simpler processes, and more stable funding, the GNWT and our NGO partners can deliver stronger, more coordinated, and people-centered support to residents across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in this session, I spoke about the importance of the Akaitcho process reaching an outcome that is equitable and respects my people's rights. Today, I want to highlight another First Nation, the Deh Cho, who are also actively engaged in concluding a land claim process that will recognize and uphold their rights and interests.

The Deh Cho First Nations have been engaged in negotiations with the territorial and federal government to secure an agreement in principle that reflects their rights, values, and vision for the future; however, the Deh Cho negotiation leaders report that they have been seeing very little movement at the negotiation table. That lack of progress is deeply concerning and undermines the trust and goodwill that are essential to any meaningful negotiation process.

Mr. Speaker, the Deh Cho have tabled a proposal that is thoughtful, principled, and grounded in decades of dialogue and community engagement. They deserve more than a passive acknowledgement. They require action.

The GNWT mandate recognizes that a strong and respectful relationship with Indigenous governments is integral to the future prosperity of the Northwest Territories. Yet this negotiation process has now spanned over two decades and prolonged delays, risk eroding the momentum and hope that communities have worked so hard to build. I call on the Premier to demonstrate his commitment to this process by becoming personally involved. I urge him to immediately instruct the GNWT negotiators to act on the Deh Cho proposals so that negotiators can move forward in a timely and respectful manner. Leadership at the highest level is needed to now ensure that this opportunity is not lost. The Deh Cho nations are showing patience and resolve and are hopeful an agreement in principle can be finalized with the territorial and federal government by June 2026. It is time for the territorial government to rise to the occasion with a meaningful engagement. Let's honour the spirit of reconciliation not just with his words, but they deserve action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Before we go on to the next person, I'd like to recognize a special guest, our colleague, my former colleague in the 18th Assembly, but the Member from the Deh Cho, in the 17th and 18th, we welcome you here to the Assembly Mr. Nadli.

Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. The Northwest Territories is home to a strong Francophone presence that has long been part of our territory's diverse multilingual tapestry. Since the earliest days of the fur trade, the Franco-Ténois community has carried their legacy forward through generations of our shared northern history. This is no easy task in our smaller and more remote communities where French language services are often limited. Yet despite these challenges, Francophone families continue to pass on their language, culture, and pride, keeping this living heritage strong across the North.

One of our communities where Franco-Ténois have faced significant challenges in preserving their language and culture is Fort Smith where an association of Francophone families has been forced to take the territorial government to court to secure French language education, despite section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guaranteeing the rights of French speaking communities outside of Quebec. The Minister of ECE is disputing the number of rights holders in the community and suggesting they settle for French immersion classes instead.

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Forcing families to go to court to secure the best education for their children places an undue burden on them and can have a chilling effect on the exercise of Charter rights. We should be developing models to deliver public services in as many of our official languages as possible. Whether you are Inuit, Metis, Dene, or Franco-Ténois, you should be able to maintain your culture and identity wherever you live in the Northwest Territories. This government seems more willing to risk costly court battles that they consistently lose rather than work collaboratively with communities from the outset. When will they end this expensive litigation and finally ensure the straightforward recognition of the rights and dignity of our language minority populations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week the Premier's Awards for Excellence recognized the outstanding work of individuals and organizations, and today I'd like to highlight some exceptional work being done by folks based in Yellowknife North.

The Salvation Army has been a key partner in getting the transitional housing for addictions recovery program up and running here in Yellowknife. We've known for many years that in order to set people up for success who are returning from addictions programs down south, they need stable supportive housing and a chance to establish new routines and new social connections. Finally we're starting to fill this gap.

The Salvation Army with government partners has repurposed an existing home into five transitional housing units. They offer flexible, recovery-oriented programming tailored to each resident. It took years of hard work to bring this brandnew program to fruition, so hopefully this process has cleared an easier path for transitional housing programs in the future.

Another Premier's Award for Excellence went to Megan Lowry and Amy Chin, community health nurses who run a street outreach program in Yellowknife. They are effectively meeting people where they're at, setting up mobile clinics, offering outreach and care at shelters, encampments and on sidewalks, throughout the city. They provide culturally safe care ranging from non-emergency medical care to immunizations, chronic disease management, STI screening, assessments and referrals, all in a one-stop shop, which is so rare in Yellowknife where our healthcare services are often so compartmentalized and cumbersome to access.

I think this is a case where Yellowknife is learning and gaining a lot from the small community model of care where community health nurses take the lead. With some freedom to innovate, these nurses have truly gone above and beyond their job description. They have shown what truly integrated care looks like by working in a hands-on way side by side with non-profit shelter providers. Due to their passion and drive to make a difference, the street outreach nursing team has managed to expand health care access, reduce emergency room visits, and measurably improve health outcomes for our most vulnerable residents.

Congratulations to the Salvation Army and to Megan and Amy of the street outreach community health nurse team. Now it's our job to ensure the government continues to enable and support this kind of innovative and effective work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member from Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we gather here for our last session day for 2025, the federal government is preparing its upcoming budget address, fall economic statement, and second nation-building announcements. Our future concerns me there, Mr. Speaker, past disasters, and the future uncertainty.

Mr. Speaker, there's positive solutions. For example, for infrastructure deficit we can recruit EPCM for project execution.

Mr. Speaker, our fiscal position grows more dire by the quarter, and yet our nation-building projects that could secure our economic future, the critical infrastructure and essential transportation links remain trapped in regulatory processes.

Mr. Speaker, this is not a time for cautious optimism or patient negotiations; this is a moment that demands decisive action from this government. We must ensure that we are doing everything in our power and making our case forward for investments.

Mr. Speaker, as we close the calendar year, previous years to date showed costly disasters, old community evacuations, threatening wildfires, floods, costly fly-in essentials. Adaptations are our solution.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the possibility of a federal election. There is a possible two-year timeline schedule for our NWT nation-building project security. I urge this government to submit the business case for the Mackenzie Valley Highway as soon as possible. Our economic future depends on the investments. This will create disposal economy, jobs opportunities, business opportunities, and taxable income.

I also want to thank my colleagues here today and wish you a safe travel home and winter season. Mahsi.

Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today it's our last day of session. It's usually a day of reflection for myself like many others, I'm sure, reflecting on all the hard work that's been done by committees, all the hard work that we've done throughout this budget process. And then, of course, Mr. Speaker, I reflect on thinking about those that the reason we can do this work and we're here to do this is the sacrifices of those that came before us, Mr. Speaker. I know personally I have and have had and still have members that serve in the military. I have family members that served in both the first and second world war, as well as other conflicts in the Middle East and around the world. And I know, as I said, other Members, Mr. Speaker, here likely do as well. So I'm just -- a reminder and to, please, everyone take part in your Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11th, support your local poppy drives where you can in your communities, Mr. Speaker. It's very important. These organizations do great work. Your local legion, if you have one, do amazing community work, and that money is greatly needed for that poppy drive. So I would certainly remind and encourage everyone to take part in that, Mr. Speaker. And I just want to say thank you to the members that served. On November 11th, I look forward to seeing my community and family members out at the event, and lest we forget, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about education in the Tlicho region and the importance of helping our students succeed.

Mr. Speaker, many students face challenges that make it hard to stay in school. Our region has the worst overcrowding in the Northwest Territories. For many families finding a quiet space to study or do homework is not possible. We cannot accept this reality when the well-being of our children is at stake. Even with a lack of housing, we must develop strategies to support students and make sure they have every chance to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho region also has one of the lowest attendance rates in the Northwest Territories. About 60 percent of students attend school regularly. That means many young people are missing valuable time in the classroom, time to learn, time to grow, and to build the skills they need for the future. We must work together as families, schools, and leaders to find ways to help our students stay in school and reach the graduation.

Mr. Speaker, I want to speak directly to the students and families in my region and other region as well. To the young people, education is a gateway to opportunity and a safety net for life. It helps you build the skills to find good jobs, support your family, and contribute to your community. It gives you confidence and the ability to make your own choices. When life gets hard, your education is something you can always rely on. It is a foundation that stays with you and helps you move forward. Education opens doors. With it, you can build a good and stable career, work towards a comfortable retirement, and enjoy the life you've earned. We all grow older, so make smart choices now that will help you live well later. Your education matters, to the young people. Mr. Speaker, I will have question for the Minister of Education. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on this Halloween Day, I would like to revive a dead debate of a previous Assembly and join my colleague from Great Slave, and the former Member for Yellowknife North, in talking about scrapping the time change. Mr. Speaker, we fall back to standard time this weekend on the night of November 1st and November 2nd. And as I do every year, I've been hearing from constituents on this.

Mr. Speaker, when the 19th Assembly studied the possibility, NWT residents overwhelmingly supported the idea. As the Member for Great Slave mentioned in her statement, over 3,500 people participated in the survey, 87 percent of respondents stated that they would like to scrap the change. And, you know, Mr. Speaker, I know that the Premier, when questioned about this, mentioned that it wasn't a priority, but I continue to hear from constituents about it, and I felt the need to raise their voices today.

Mr. Speaker, it was not followed through, primarily -- and, you know, I had a conversation with the Premier offline, and since other neighbouring jurisdictions were not immediately on board, there would be costs and difficulties to go through that route alone. And he shared some information with me on lessons learned from the Yukon, and I think it did give me pause. It's certainly something that doing it alone would be costly and difficult. And we have enough problems coordinating with Alberta as it is, and we don't need to add a time differential to those issues. So I was certainly disappointed personally when I saw the plebiscite results in Alberta that they chose not to scrap the change. But, Mr. Speaker, I also want to communicate a bit of a message of hope.

There's momentum gaining behind this issue. A recent poll shows that a majority of Americans are in favour of scrapping the change. Only 12 percent are interested in keeping it. I heard that a bill was introduced in the American senate to get rid of daylight savings time, and I also understand that there's a Private Member's bill being studied in Ottawa to reiterate this interest and reset this debate. And, Mr. Speaker, I just want to take the opportunity to reiterate my support and note that this is something that's important to my constituents. I think it's clear to me that this is something that needs to be done on a national, potentially a pan-national basis just to get everybody in line and that the misalignment is the problem. But I think my constituents, and thousands of Northerners who participated in the survey, would like to see the Premier expressing support for scrapping the change when he has the opportunity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Spooker. It's that time of year again I give my annual statement. And I encourage people to see it for what it is, a little humour into the Assembly, and hopefully the Cabinet isn't offended. And, certainly, that isn't the intent.

Mr. Spooker, in the theme of Addams Family, I'll start again this year, Mr. Spooker.

They sit there in their spooky chairs with powers they refuse to share;

Members eating day old spam while Cabinet feasts on suckling ham;

The Simpson Family.

They get their briefings and act like czars; they stuff their ridings with trucks and cars.

Cabinet sits and laughs away while Members poke, toil away;

The Simpson Family.

We slog with motions in this House; the Cabinet sits silent like a mouse;

They call it consensus; we say gross;

The Simpson Family.

They sit there in their spooky chairs with powers that they refuse to share;

Members eating day old spam while Cabinet feasts back on that suckling ham;

The Simpson Family.

The budget's too thin; they're too cheap;

The Ministers all are fast asleep;

No dust control for my hometown; money never seems to go around;

That's the Simpson Family.

Bring it home, Mr. Speaker.

My goat trail repairs are too steep; they take our money to build their heaps;

Through slush and snow, our roads no go;

The Simpson Family.

And finally, Mr. Spooker, in his creepy chair, his egor watches far too close;

As Members are truly engrossed, we have to work with the Simpson Family.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank all Members for the fact that once a year we can take a little fun and enjoy it in the spirit it's intended. And, lastly, Mr. Speaker, noting I don't have any time on the clock, I will say please have a safe Halloween and enjoy it in the spirit it is that we are coming together. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements.