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

Oral Questions
Members Present
Prayer Or Reflection
First Poppy Ceremony
Government of the Northwest Territories-Literacy Council Agreement
Update on Non-Government Organizations Sector Support Initiative
Deh Cho Negotiations Process
French Language Education
Premier's Awards Winners
Economic Impacts of Federal Budget
Reflections on the Sitting
Eduction in the Tlicho Region
Ending Daylight Savings Time
Halloween Message
Celebration of Life for Rolande Norwegian
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Dehcho Negotiations Process
NOrthwest Territories Nominee Program
Midwifery Services
French-first Language Education Rights
Housing Northwest Territories Contracting Process
Supports for Students in Small Communities
Environmental Securities
Building Standards Legislation
Government of the Northwest Territories Procurement Processes
Animal Welfare and Emergency Management
Environmental Securities
CT Scanner Procurement for Inuvik Hospital
Rayrock Minesite Remediation
Chipsealing of the Inuvik Bypass Road
Government Service Delivery Training
New Housing Allocation for Tlicho Communities
Impacts of Jordan's Principle Funding Changes
Building Standards Framework
Written Question 23-20(1): Healthcare Professionals Returning as Locums
Written Question 24-20(1): Northwest Territories Medical Students Rejected for Residencies
Written Question 24-20(1): Senior Envoy
Committee Report 34-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of Motion 56-20(1): Code of Conduct referral to the Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges, Received and Adopted by the Assembly
Tabled Document 431-20(1): Plain Language Summary for Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act Tabled Document 432-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act
Tabled Document 433-20(1): 71st Annual Report 2024-2025 Northwest Territories Liquor Licensing Board Tabled Document 434-20(1): Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission 71st Annual Report 2024-2025 Tabled Document 435-20(1): Northwest Territories Hydro and Northwest Territories Power Corporation 2024-2025 Annual Report
Tabled Document 436-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 61-20(1): Remuneration of Essential Staff During an Evacuation
Tabled Document 437-20(1): 2024-2025 Annual Report: Action Plan in Response to the Calls for Justice on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
Tabled Document 438-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 63-20(1): Creation of an Emergency Management Agency for the Northwest Territories
Tabled Document 439-20(1): Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly Legal Fees Policy
Extended Adjournment of the House to February 4, 2026
Bill 36: Trespass to Property Act
Bill 35: Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 2026
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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
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
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
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 - Sitting after Thanksgiving
Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Assent To Bills
Orders Of The Day

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

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

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

Some Hon. Members

Question.

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

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Thank you.

---Carried

I will go back to the Member from Great Slave.

Committee Motion 135-20(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 - Sitting after Thanksgiving, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Kate Reid

Kate Reid Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that Rule 2.1(1)(c) be amended to read: A sitting beginning on the second Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 135-20(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 - Sitting after Thanksgiving, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Committee Motion 135-20(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 - Sitting after Thanksgiving, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Committee Motion 135-20(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 - Sitting after Thanksgiving, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

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 135-20(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 - Sitting after Thanksgiving, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Kate Reid

Kate Reid Great Slave

That's all I have, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Committee Motion 135-20(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 - Sitting after Thanksgiving, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you, committee. Do you agree that you have concluded consideration of Committee Report 33-20(1), Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2; do you agree?

Committee Motion 135-20(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 - Sitting after Thanksgiving, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 135-20(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 - Sitting after Thanksgiving, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Committee, we have concluded consideration of 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.

I am going to go to the Member from the Inuvik Boot Lake.

Committee Motion 135-20(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 - Sitting after Thanksgiving, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Denny Rodgers

Denny Rodgers Inuvik Boot Lake

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

Committee Motion 135-20(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 - Sitting after Thanksgiving, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. There's a motion to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion carried.

---Carried

I'll now rise and report progress. Thank you.

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

October 31st, 2025

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

All right. Reports of the Committee of the Whole. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

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

Richard Edjericon

Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Committee Report 33-20(1) and would like to report progress with four motions carried and that Committee Report 33-20(1) is concluded. And, Mr. Speaker, I move 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

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Can I have a seconder? Let's go to Inuvik Twin Lakes. No, Inuvik Boot Lake. There we go; it was the wrong lake. Inuvik Boot Lake. Motion's in order.

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

Some Hon. Members

Question.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion carried.

---Carried

Mr. Clerk, can you determine whether the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Gerald Kisoun, is prepared to enter the chambers and ascend the bills.

---SHORT RECESS

Assent To Bills
Assent To Bills

The Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories Gerald W. Kisoun

Please be seated.

[Translation] INSERT [Translation Ends].

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker, Premier Simpson, Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, staff, and visitors in the public gallery.

Thank you all for the work you have done during this sitting to represent the people of the Northwest Territories.

I wish to acknowledge that the land on which we have gathered are treaty lands and the home to many Indigenous peoples, including the Akaitcho Dene, the Tlicho, and the Metis.

This is the last time that we will gather in this way until after the holiday season. As the weather turns cold and the excitement of the season and outdoor winter activities begin to rise, I ask that you and the people of the Northwest Territories take the time to appreciate the gifts that nature provides us. May you find peace in the calm of a quiet, cold morning, and remember that you are both loved and appreciated by more people than you know.

Now, as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills:

  • Bill 21: An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act;
  • Bill 22: Legislation Act;
  • Bill 23: An Act to Amend the Children's Law Act;
  • Bill 24: An Act to Amend the Family Law Act;
  • Bill 27: An Act to Amend the Protection Against Family Violence Act;
  • Bill 28: An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, No. 2;
  • Bill 36: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2026-2027;
  • Bill 37: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2024-2025;
  • Bill 38: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2025-2026;
  • Bill 39: Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2025-2026.

Mahsi cho. Thank you. Quyananni. Hi hi. Merci beaucoup. Koana. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

Assent To Bills
Assent To Bills

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Colleagues, I'd like to thank the Commissioner, the Honourable Gerald Kisoun, for joining us today to assent to our legislation. It is always a pleasure having him join us in this chamber. Thank you, Mr. Commissioner.

Colleagues, before we close for the day, I want to express my gratitude for another successful sitting. I would like to thank each of you for your efforts over the past few weeks. This has not been a long sitting, but I believe it was a productive one. I am proud of what we've accomplished in a short time, and I hope you are proud of yourselves as well.

I would also like to thank everyone else that contributed to our successful sitting, especially our pages, interpreters, and the contractors who help us keep the building running safely and efficiently or effectively.

We also owe gratitude to the staff of the Office of the Clerk as well as all public servants who made it possible for us to do our jobs. We couldn't do what we do without all this support. Please join me in thanking them all.

Colleagues, I started this sitting by encouraging each of you to review the Guiding Principles of Consensus Government in the Northwest Territories, and I want to remind you to do so.

I also want to remind you that we, as Members of this Legislative Assembly, do things different from our counterparts in other legislatures across the country. I believe we are, and must be, held to a higher standard when it comes to order, decorum, and respect for each other, this institution, and the people who elected us. We are expected to work together. We are expected to hold each other to account. And we are expected to communicate respectfully. I expect this from each of us; the people who elected us expect this from each of us; and we should expect this from each other.

Colleagues, this House is not scheduled to sit again until February. The business of the government and committees will continue during this period, but I hope you are able to find some time to both relax and connect with your family, friends, and constituents. Let them know you appreciate them and all they've done to support you.

Colleagues, I'll try to keep it short and end by saying I wish everyone a very Happy Halloween and Christmas season. To everyone who will be trick-or-treating, whether it's here in Yellowknife or back in our communities, please be safe, don't eat all the Halloween candy until some of us get back so we can share it. But please enjoy the rest of the season.

Orders of the day, Mr. Clerk.

Orders Of The Day
Orders Of The Day

Clerk Of The House Mr. Glen Rutland

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Orders of the day for Wednesday, February 4th, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

  1. Prayer or Reflection
  2. Ministers' Statements
  3. Members' Statements
  4. Returns to Oral Questions
  5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
  6. Acknowledgements
  7. Oral Questions
  8. Written Questions
  9. Returns to Written Questions
  • Written Question 21-20(1), Changes to Child and Youth Counselling Services
  • Written Question 22-20(1), Actions to Improve Animal Welfare in the Northwest Territories
  • Written Question 23-20(1), Healthcare Professionals Returning as Locums
  • Written Question 24-20(1), Northwest Territories Medical Students Rejected for Residencies
  • Written Question 25-20(1), Senior Envoy
  1. Replies to the Commissioner's Address
  2. Petitions
  3. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
  4. Reports of Standing and Special Committees
  5. Tabling of Documents
  6. Notices of Motion
  7. Motions
  8. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
  9. First Reading of Bills
  10. Second Reading of Bills

- Bill 34, Trespass to Property Act

- Bill 35, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act

  1. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
  2. Report of Committee of the Whole
  3. Third Reading of Bills
  4. Orders of the Day

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Orders Of The Day
Orders Of The Day

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, February 4th, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Enjoy Christmas.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 12:56 p.m.

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