Colleagues, after our brief break. Second reading of bills. Minister of Justice.
Debates of Oct. 31st, 2025
This is page numbers 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 work.
Topics
Motion 65-20(1): Extended Adjournment of the House to February 4, 2026, Carried
Motions
Bill 36: Trespass to Property Act, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills
Jay MacDonald Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member from Nunakput, that Bill 36, Trespass to Property Act, be read for the second time.
The proposed Trespass to Property Act is to enhance public safety and private property protections and will establish trespassing as a territorial offence. The bill will address significant gaps in trespassing law by creating a new law intended to govern trespass to private property, to schools, and to certain types of private interests on public lands, such as leases. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Bill 36: Trespass to Property Act, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills
The Speaker Shane Thompson
Thank you, Minister. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.
Bill 36: Trespass to Property Act, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Bill 36: Trespass to Property Act, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills
The Speaker Shane Thompson
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion is carried. Bill 34 has been read a second time and is referred to the standing committee of the Assembly for further considerations.
---Carried
Second reading of bills. Minister of Justice.
Bill 35: Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 2026, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills
Jay MacDonald Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that Bill 35, Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 2026, be read for the second time.
This bill corrects inconsistencies and errors in the statutes of the Northwest Territories. The bill also deals with other matters of a minor, noncontroversial, or uncomplicated nature in the statutes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Bill 35: Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 2026, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills
The Speaker Shane Thompson
Thank you, Minister of Justice. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.
Bill 35: Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 2026, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Bill 35: Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 2026, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills
October 31st, 2025
The Speaker Shane Thompson
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion is carried. Bill 35 has been read a second time and is referred to the standing committee of the Assembly for further consideration.
---Carried
Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, Committee Report 33-20(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
The Chair Richard Edjericon
I now call the Committee of the Whole to order. I am going to go to the Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Denny Rodgers Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee wishes to consider Committee Report 33-20(1), Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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
The Chair Richard Edjericon
Thank you. Committee, we have agreed to Consider Report 33-20(1), Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2.
I will go to the chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges for opening comments.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Kate Reid Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
In June and September of 2025, the committee received correspondence from Speaker Thompson requesting a review of certain rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. The committee has considered the matters referred by the Speaker and delivered its report to the House on October 29th, 2025. Individual Members may have additional comments. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
The Chair Richard Edjericon
Thank you. I'll now open the floor to general comments on committee report 33-20(1), Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. Are there any comments from the Members?
Seeing no further comments, Members, I'll go back to the Member from Great Slave.
Committee Motion 132-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 - Rule 7.3 - Written Questions Submission, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Kate Reid Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the following be added to Rule 7.3: (3.1) written questions must be provided in writing to the Speaker at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of the sitting day.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 132-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 - Rule 7.3 - Written Questions Submission, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Committee Motion 132-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 - Rule 7.3 - Written Questions Submission, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 132-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 - Rule 7.3 - Written Questions Submission, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
The Speaker Shane Thompson
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion carried. Thank you.
---Carried
I will go back to the Member from Great Slave.
Committee Motion 133-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 - Guidelines for Written Questions, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Kate Reid Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Office of the Clerk develop and distribute to all Members of the Legislative Assembly a document providing guidelines for written questions and including a template that can be used by Members. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 133-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 - Guidelines for Written Questions, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Committee Motion 133-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 - Guidelines for Written Questions, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 133-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 - Guidelines for Written Questions, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
The Chair Richard Edjericon
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion carried.
---Carried
I'll go back to the Member from Great Slave.
Committee Motion 134-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 - Daily Order of Business on Thursdays, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Kate Reid Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that Rule 4.1(5) be amended to read: The daily orders of business in the Assembly on Thursdays shall be:
1. Prayer or reflection
2. Ministers' statements
3. Members' statements
4. Recognition of visitors in the gallery
5. Notices of motion
6. Motions
7. Returns to oral questions
8. Acknowledgements
9. Oral questions
10. Written questions
11. Returns to written questions
12. Replies to Commissioner's address
13. Petitions
14. Reports of committees on the review of bills
15. Reports of standing and special committees
16. Tabling of documents
17. Notices of motion for first reading of bills
18. First reading of bills
19. Second reading of bills
20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters
21. Report of Committee of the Whole.
22. Third reading of bills
23. Orders of the day
Thank you, Mr. Chair.