Please be seated. Good afternoon
Colleagues, welcome back to the House. It is great to be here.

I'd like to thank interpreters Sarah Cleary and Mary Jane Cazon for opening this session with a wonderful song performance in Dene Zhatie and opening blessing in Dene Kede. Thank you very much.

I'm also pleased to welcome our pages and our interpreters back to the chamber.
We are grateful for their hard work and dedication; we couldn't do this without them. Colleagues, remember to speak slowly and clearly so our interpreters can do their jobs.

Although we have not sat together in this chamber since March, I know you have all been busy with the ongoing work of committees, government and representing your constituents. Our work goes on when we are not sitting.

From April 29th to May 1st, we hosted our 21st Youth Parliament. Folks, it was a great time. I was impressed with our young MLAs and proud of the work they did during their short time here. These youth from across our territory came together in the Assembly for three days to learn about consensus government and debate in this very chamber issues important to them, their peers and their communities. Colleagues, please join me in thanking and congratulating our young MLAs for a job well done.

Thank you to the staff involved in our 21st Youth Parliament. A lot of work goes into planning and delivering this event, and they should be recognized for their efforts. Please join me in thanking our staff for planning and delivering this program for our youth.

Finally, thank you for making our Youth Parliament program a success. Many of you volunteered as pages for the model session and met with your youth representatives during the program. It means a lot to the youth and the program. Thank you.

Colleagues, earlier this month on May 5th, we marked the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian forces. The domes of this Legislative Assembly building were lit orange to recognize this important milestone.

In 1945, Canadian forces played a crucial role in freeing the Dutch people from Nazi occupation, enduring harsh conditions and fierce combat to push back German forces. More than 7,600 Canadian soldiers lost their lives during this campaign, a solemn reminder of the high cost of freedom.
This anniversary serves as a powerful opportunity to honour the courage and dedication of those who served and to reflect on Canada's legacy as a defender of peace and justice on the world stage.

As a symbol and reminder of the sacrifice of Northwest Territories residents during the Second World War, the Metis sash of Private Edward Powder, an Indigenous veteran of the Second World War and father of our former sergeant-at-arms, Floyd Powder, will sit in the chamber as a gift from the Powder family. I thank them very much for this honour.
At the appropriate time today, I will table a list of the deceased veterans of the Second World War from or with connection to the Northwest Territories.

Colleagues, I have received the following correspondence from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Gerald W. Kisoun. It states: Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, the passage of the Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 1, 2025-2026; and, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2025-2026 during the May sitting of the first session of the 20th Legislative Assembly. Yours Truly, Gerald W. Kisoun.

Colleagues, let's get back down to business. Ministers' statements. Mr. Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the 20th Legislative Assembly is nearing its midpoint a natural time to reflect, recalibrate, and refocus. Over the past year and a half, we have worked hard to build the foundation for what lies ahead. We have established strong working relationships across the House, set shared priorities, and begun the important and essential work of implementing the commitments in our mandate. These early steps were about alignment, ensuring that the work of government reflects the realities, needs, and aspirations of Northerners.
The challenges before us are significant. Climate emergencies are becoming more frequent and more destructive. The rising cost of living continues to strain families, businesses, and government fiscal capacity. Our health and social services system is under pressure. As both a public health and public safety issue, communities are at risk of drug and gang activity, compromising the safety of residents and families. The housing and infrastructure deficits in our territory remain one of the greatest barriers to long-term growth and resilience.

But Mr. Speaker, we are not standing still. We have made deliberate decisions to position this government to act and deliver.

Earlier this spring, we implemented a series of strategic changes to Cabinet portfolios and senior management. These adjustments were designed not only to rebalance workloads but to strengthen alignment between political leadership and the work we have been asked to carry forward. These were not just routine changes; they were about putting the right people in the right roles to get results.

We have also worked to strengthen collaboration with Regular Members. The newly created small and remote communities committee-of-Cabinet will bring the perspectives from small community MLAs directly into the Cabinet decision-making process. This collaboration will make our work stronger and more responsive to the needs of all residents.

Mr. Speaker, the groundwork has been laid. Our direction is clear, and the work to deliver on the mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories is moving forward with purpose.

In our healthcare system, we are taking focused steps to fix what is not working and strengthen what is, with the goal of ensuring healthy people and communities across the territory.
Through the healthcare system sustainability unit, we have launched a territory-wide review of programs and services; one that looks not just at what is being delivered but at how it is being delivered, what it costs, and how we can do better. This is foundational work. It is the first time we have attempted to build a comprehensive inventory of health and social across the territory, along with historical spending trends. This will help us identify pressure points, inefficiencies, and opportunities for change, and will inform the decisions we make in the months and years ahead.

At Stanton Territorial Hospital, a new emergency department staffing model is being rolled out to improve coverage, reduce burnout, and create a more stable work environment for physicians. The model was co-designed with frontline staff and introduces additional dedicated physician shifts to improve flexibility and care. This will help with recruitment as well as retention, and we expect to see real benefits for both staff and patients.

Mr. Speaker, in December 2024, we appointed a public administrator to help address the evolving and complex needs of the current health and social services system. The public administrator has released his work plan, focused on improving day-to-day operations across the system. That work starts with things like scheduling, staff support, and accountability for frontline management. These are things that may not make headlines but they are critical. They help keep services running, reduce turnover, and ensure that our health and social services system remains focused on care.

One of the more exciting long-term projects is focused on integrated service delivery through the governance and service integration unit. The governance and service integration unit steers the GNWT's efforts to improve person-centered service delivery across the NWT. With an initial focus on homelessness and family preservation, the unit will establish five regional integrated service delivery sites in Yellowknife, Fort Simpson, Inuvik, Hay River, and Behchoko. Teams in these communities will coordinate support services across sectors such as housing, mental health, income assistance, and child and family services. Central to this work is wraparound training offered to the GNWT, Indigenous governments, and non-governmental organizations, designed to create collaborative, holistic support plans for individuals with complex needs.

The new governance and service integration unit also plays a key coordinating role in anti-poverty and food security initiatives and leads the GNWT's response to strengthening the non-profit and charitable sector. Its work is supported by approximately $5.7 million in federal funding through 2028, including funding from Public Safety Canada, Gender-Based Violence, and Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. Additionally, the unit manages the anti-poverty fund and the non-government organization stabilization fund, supporting community-based solutions and building capacity across the non-profit sector. Engagement, partnership and breaking down barriers are the core of the governance and service integration unit's mission to improve access to services and outcomes for residents across the territory.

Mr. Speaker, we continue to deliver more homes for Northerners. Since the start of this Legislative Assembly, 81 new units have been completed with 211 more underway or in the planning stages including new incremental public housing units, seniors' duplexes, and replacement units tailored to local needs across the territory. Over the life of this government, we are planning to deliver a total of 292 new housing units across the territory.

In Yellowknife, two new transitional housing projects are moving forward. One, a partnership with the Salvation Army, will soon open its doors to support individuals in their addiction recovery. A similar facility is expected to open in Inuvik later this year. The second project is a temporary transitional housing facility near the Yellowknife Airport that will provide supportive housing for up to 25 individuals experiencing homelessness. With on-site staff, wraparound supports, and a focus on safety and healing, it will help bridge the gap between emergency shelters and longer-term housing options. This, and other similar projects, help with our goals to break down barriers and build trust with vulnerable populations.

This spring, construction is beginning on a number of additional units, including a 50-unit mass timber building in Yellowknife and a hybrid modular-stick build in Delineb. These projects reflect both innovation and a community-driven approach.

Mr. Speaker, local housing organizations remain essential partners in this work, supporting tenant safety and day-to-day operations in our communities. Through collaboration with Regular Members, an additional $41.6 million has been committed to Housing NWT this year, bringing the total planned investment to more than $50 million. This work is about more than buildings. It is about stability, health, and opportunity, and we are moving it forward with urgency and partnership.

Mr. Speaker, floods and wildfires are no longer rare events in the Northwest Territories. They have become a regular part of life for many communities and their impacts are being felt more often, and more severely, each year. We have been taking decisive steps to ensure that we are ready for emergencies. To help us strengthen our emergency preparedness and response, two independent reviews were launched following 2023's wildfire season; one focused on wildfire management and the other on broader emergency operations, including evacuations and public safety.

Earlier this month, we received the broader after-action review focused on emergency management and community evacuations. It provides a detailed assessment of what worked and what did not and identifies clear opportunities to improve coordination, communication, and readiness. A formal response to the after-action review will be tabled later this year, but operational improvements are already being made.

We updated the NWT Emergency Plan by clarifying roles and responsibilities to ensure that emergency agencies, Indigenous governments, and the territorial government can work together in a coordinated and collaborative fashion from the outset of an emergency.

We launched new training to support incident command capacity, relaunched the Be Ready campaign to support community-level preparedness, and we're offering FireSmarting assessments across the territory. This is about continuous learning and continuous improvement and making sure that, when the next emergency comes, we are better equipped to respond.

We are also supporting climate resilience in the NWT's four coastal communities - Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour and Ulukhaktok - in partnership with Natural Resources Canada's climate-resilient coastal communities program. These four communities face growing risks from coastal erosion, sea level rise, storm surges, and permafrost thaw due to climate change. The funding includes more than $12 million for 13 projects in the North and across Canada to help communities develop and implement their own climate adaptation measures, including planned relocation efforts. We will work with community governments to ensure strategies are community-led, practical, and support long-term climate resilience.

In this environment of growing uncertainty and rapid change, another serious threat continues to develop, not just in the NWT but internationally: The rise of drug trafficking and substance use. Social isolation, lack of opportunity, and limited access to services often exacerbated by climate-driven disruptions, have made some communities more susceptible to the harmful impacts of drugs and organized crime. In response, protecting community safety has become not just a matter of policing but a critical part of building resilience.

As this issue continues to grow, we and our partners have adapted our response, education and supports to make sure we have safe communities for Northerners and support for healing. Our efforts focus on community-based programs, harm reduction, enforcement, and restorative justice.

The Department of Health and Social Services works with schools, non-government organizations, and community organizations, to deliver prevention education on the risks of drug use, safe consumption messaging, and access to mental health supports, as well as providing harm reduction initiatives such as access to Naloxone kits to treat opioid overdoses.

For community members dealing with addictions and trauma, the Mental Wellness and Addictions Recovery Fund offers $3 million a year to communities, Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations for community-based programming tailored to cultural and local needs and land-based healing initiatives that include traditional knowledge and practices. Facility-based addictions treatment is also available to help residents access treatment outside the territory if needed; as well as dedicated aftercare, including counselling and peer support for people returning from treatment.

Through the RCMP and the Department of Justice, the GNWT actively supports drug enforcement efforts. This past February, the RCMP executed the largest drug and cash seizure in NWT history, confiscating nearly five kilograms of cocaine and over $360,000 in cash. This operation significantly disrupted criminal networks operating in the territory. We established a territorial crime reduction unit, deployed the first full-time emergency response team in the NWT, and are developing new legislation to empower law enforcement to shut down drug houses, seize assets from traffickers, and continue to disrupt the drug networks to protect communities and keep residents safe in their own homes. We will also continue to work across jurisdictions, both within the territory and nationally, to fight the problem.

Mr. Speaker, we know that long-term prosperity and resilience in the Northwest Territories depend on getting infrastructure right and on working with Indigenous governments and Canada to make meaningful progress. This is why we continue to advance major projects like the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Taltson Hydro Electric Expansion, and the Slave Geological Province Corridor. These are long-term investments in connectivity, energy security, and economic development, that will create new opportunities for Northerners and are critical to strengthening the North's role as a pivotal point in Canada's future.

To help drive this work forward, we have created a new ministerial portfolio focused on strategic infrastructure, energy and supply chains. The partnerships behind these nation-building projects, including with Indigenous governments and the federal government, remain central to our approach, and we will continue to advocate strongly for the funding and approvals needed to move them ahead.

We have taken practical steps to adapt existing systems. This year's winter fuel resupply was one of the most complex in recent memory, with water levels forcing major rerouting. Thanks to strong coordination across government, industry, and communities, over 9.6 million liters of fuel were delivered safely on time to eight communities. We also modernized the Public Utilities Board's mandate to better support community-driven renewable energy, improve fairness in the system, and lay the groundwork for long-term affordability and sustainability.

Mr. Speaker, during a period of global uncertainty, we have taken targeted steps to protect the territory's economy. Short-term relief for the diamond sector is helping maintain jobs, sustain local businesses, and support Indigenous contracting at a time of significant market disruption. When the federal government eliminated the consumer carbon tax, we moved quickly to align territorial policy, delivering immediate relief for residents while continuing to advance our 2030 Energy Strategy and long-term climate adaptation work.

We are also working to strengthen the foundations of our economy. The Northwest Territories is chairing the committee on internal trade, helping to lead national efforts to reduce trade barriers and unlock economic opportunity across Canada. We are doing this while remaining steadfast on the need to uphold economic modern treaty commitments and support our developing economy.

Mr. Speaker, we also have a great opportunity in the wake of the recent federal election. After nearly two decades, the NWT has a Minister in Cabinet and for the first time ever the Prime Minister is someone born in our territory. There is a renewed sense that Canada is paying closer attention to the Arctic and the North, not just as a region in need but as strategically essential to the success of the nation. This attention brings with it opportunities to collaborate in meaningful ways on the challenges we face, whether building the economy, adapting to climate change, strengthening community wellness and resilience, or highlighting Canada's security and sovereignty. We welcome this focus and are ready to work with Canada and all of our partners to build a Northwest Territories that is stronger, safer, and more productive for Northerners and contributes to the Canadian federation.

As we look ahead, our focus remains clear.
We will continue working and building with Regular Members, Indigenous governments, community leaders, and residents to advance the priorities in our mandate: More homes, better health care, stronger emergency response, cleaner energy, safe communities, and a resilient sustainable economy that works for Northerners. This is the time to move from strategy to implementation, from building trust to delivering results. That is what we intend to do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate Yellowknife's own, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, on her election to the House of Commons and further on her appointment to the Privy Council as Minister for Crown Indigenous Relations.

Rebecca was born and raised in Yellowknife in Chief Drygeese territory in the Akaitcho region. After high school, she completed a diploma in film and video at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology followed by a degree in communication studies from the University of Calgary. In 2018, she was elected as 15th mayor of Yellowknife, following two terms as a city councillor.

Ms. Alty joins a rather exclusive club of northern Ministers and is only the second from the Northwest Territories following in the footsteps of the great Ethel Blondin Andrew who was Minister of State from 2003 to 2006. [Translation] INSERT* [Translation Ends].

Northerners are often overlooked and under-utilized by Ottawa, but these appointments send a clear message that that is going to change. The NWT holds the promise of Canada's future, the Gray's Bay, Slave Geological Province strategic corridor, critical minerals, and our untapped energy potential and natural gas, offshore oil, hydroelectricity, and geothermal resources. We can be the center of North America's strategic defence and ensure Arctic sovereignty for all Canadians and the tradition of Indigenous people who have called this land home since time immemorial.

Mr. Speaker, the new federal Cabinet and its priorities represent a bright future for the Northwest Territories with growth and security for our people. I know that my friend Rebecca Alty will make good on this opportunity and be the voice of the NWT on the national and international stage. Congratulations, Rebecca. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Members' statements. Member from Great Slave .

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the first day of our last sitting in February, I told the trans and nonbinary community that I love and support you. As we are about to enter Pride Season, I stand today to say again that you are loved, valued, and deserve safety and equity.

Mr. Speaker, Pride is a protest. Again and again, we protest until safety and equity for everyone is achieved.

On May 3rd, the Premier released a statement with his territorial colleagues that they, quote, "discussed the alarming increase in trans phobic policies based on hate and ignorance being passed internationally, stripping transgender and gender nonconforming people of their fundamental rights to self-expression. All three territories continue to take a strong stance to supported the 2SLGPBTQIAA+ community and are committed to ensuring all Northerners feel seen, safe, and supported."

In my role as Regular Member, I have the power of words and influence. And so today, I ask this Cabinet to use their active power to affect strong change and support our 2SLGBTQIAA+ community through real action. This means we must provide safe options for gender affirming health care out of territory. It also means that the GNWT must actively listen to experts in our community, especially the Northern Mosaic Network, to create real and lasting change through meaningful collaboration. I invite all Members to meet with folks outside the Assembly rallying for safe and accessible trans health care. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time.

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [Translation] INSERT* [Translation Ends] Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, drug use is out of control in NWT. Mr. Speaker, we must address the drug crisis in our communities. Two weeks ago, the Dene national chief said we are, quote, "at the crossroads in an ongoing drug crisis." Mr. Speaker, I feel we need to recognize that this recent gun and drug related crime really is a crisis.

As a parent and grandparent, I care deeply about the well-being of our people, especially our youth. They are our future leaders who will shape our communities going forward. Mr. Speaker, this drug crisis is tearing people apart. It is heartbreaking to see the toll crack cocaine and fentanyl are taking on our youth.

Two people are facing firearm and drug trafficking charges in the Sahtu. Last month, a 21-year-old received a five-year prison sentence for selling cocaine in Yellowknife. Last week, a 22-year-old was arrested for a murder that happened in the Deh Cho in March. Yesterday, media reported that a 12-year-old was arrested in Mackenzie Delta after a shooting.

Mr. Speaker, our children are using drugs at younger ages; for example, 10 years old, and this will have a terrible impact on their future.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents are calling for actions. They are asking others to report drug dealers and people involved in the drug trade. Residents are beginning to face legal consequences. We need to ensure we have the resources to meet the challenges ahead. Mr. Speaker, addiction is also a disease, and while we must protect our communities we need to show compassion. Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have heard recently that the amount of time for legal aid clinics and services have been reduced. Our young people are entering the system, and we need to be prepared. I will have question for the Minister of Justice at the appropriate time. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, investing in our Arctic road to resources, Mr. Speaker, it's the highway north of Yellowknife, is an excellent, if not a major significant economic opportunity for the North and Canada. Mr. Speaker, if you look at the NWT's GDP alone, you'd start to wonder in this territory, is it trending that people are quietly quitting? Our GDP is shrinking and things are -- maybe no one's taken the opportunity to inform or tell the Premier.

Mr. Speaker, we're going to need some bold brinkmanship action to get in there, lock down, and get some investment in the North, because as the North starts to shrink, and continues to shrink in the direction it's going, you don't have to start to see the stark difference between when you look east or west, when you see Nunavut and Yukon, as their economies continue to grow year over year because it starts to make you wonder what's happening and where is the call for urgency. Mr. Speaker, frankly, the only growth, really, we see in the Northwest Territories in our GDP is the public administration. And in lay terms, that's for the public to know what that means is basically that means government with more government on top of government, Mr. Speaker. Government's bursting at the seams. It's our best sifter.

Mr. Speaker, but all isn't lost. There's hope on the horizon. Mr. Speaker, recently, Canada has elected a new Prime Minister. Mr. Speaker, that Prime Minister made a particularly interesting statement. I'll say it. He said build big, build bold, and build now, Mr. Speaker. So there's the message I'm sending to our Premier.

So, Mr. Premier, while you're travelling to the First Ministers' junket in two weeks from now and in between the wine, the cheese, and those fancy cute little tiny crackers, take a moment and ask the Prime Minister to help you build big, build bold, build now. We have partners here in the Yellowknife region - the Tlicho government, the Yellowknives - they want to work together to build that road north to the Bathurst port because we could build big, bold, and now, and that will help stimulate this economy.

Mr. Speaker, subjects such as the Arctic road to resources I think would be good, accelerating the Mackenzie Valley Highway is critical, and if Taltson isn't going to work it's time we pull it off the table and say let's run a power line north from Alberta because we have to start making some good choices. So I implore the Premier, do not be a Where's Waldo; be aggressive. Be big, be bold, and do it now because we can't wait any longer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I hope all colleagues is having an enjoyable spring. Mr. Speaker, I took the opportunity as recently as this past week where my wife and I drove through Fort St. John, BC, home to the Site C hydro dam facilities, a stunning and massive structure. This is also one of three facilities on the same Peace River. These are controlled waterways for commercial returns. Mr. Speaker, our journey continued to include sites at the Petitot-Liard River junction. Again, we witnessed another sight of low water conditions.

Mr. Speaker, these two areas are the head watersheds of the Mackenzie River and the Liard. With warmer climate conditions, controlling waterways, downstream residents in my area, of these invested conditions is not only alarming, concerning, but, more importantly, what's in store of our future's generations on sustainability.

Mr. Speaker, I support the MTS staff and the department for taking active measures to support a resupply point at Dooley Crossing; however, challenges remain within the waterways of sailing conditions, decisions are confirmed.

Mr. Speaker, mid summer of 2023, the marine vessel vehicle, Vic Ingram, punctured a hole crossing the 12-mile ridge above Tulita. The reef extremely cautioned -- extreme caution is required when supporting the approved sailing decision. It would be a catastrophic environmental nightmare should a fuel spill occur where remoteness and response plans, personnel, are not readily available and in immediate reach.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, my ultimate and remaining support is higher north and build Mackenzie Valley Highway Wrigley to Norman Wells. We must think strategically as we transition from regulatory assessment funding permitting construction during the remaining term of our Assembly. Mahsi.

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

Mr. Speaker, the recent Earth Day announcement of $15 million in surprise subsidies to the three operating diamond mines has been bothering me. I certainly don't dispute that the mines employ a lot of Northerners and that Indigenous and northern businesses rely significantly on contracts with the diamond mines. What bothers me is that the subsidies are based on wishful thinking. They're not designed to actually accomplish anything meaningful when it comes to jobs or our economy. We're not getting any guarantees in return for the $15 million besides nice but empty words like "relationships" and "partnerships." They're not even offering best efforts but commercially reasonable efforts to maintain operations. Basically, they'll do what they were going to do anyway. We don't have any independent economic analysis that shows even the probability that this token gesture will result in one more northerner being hired or that a mine will stay hope for one day longer than it would have without these subsidies.

$15 million in public funds are pretty small potatoes for those diamond mine operations, but they could mean a lot if this government instead invested that money directly in our people, in housing or education or mental health care or even in energy infrastructure projects to support future economic opportunities. Those are the investments required to build up our economic foundation, not desperately throwing money at the mines that are already on their way out the door in the hope that will slow them down on their way out.

With this so-called crisis so impossible to predict or plan for, global mineral prices famously rise and crash on a regular basis. We've known for many years these mines are reaching the end of their lifecycles, when we should expect falling profits and tighter margins. We can and should be creating transparent policy for what to do in these frequent situations. Should the government always subsidize a mine if it threatens to close? If so, for how long should we subsidize a failing operation? What proof do we need to see that a closure threat is real? Is is there a minimum rate of return? How many jobs should be at stake to justify a subsidy? What should be the consequence if a company takes the money and shuts down the very next day? Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and to my colleagues. Finally, let's plan properly and invest in economic development based on sound evidence rather than spending reactively based on fear and wishful thinking. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the NWT, a number of health care professions are regulated under the Health and Social Services Professions Act. Psychologists were regulated under this Act in 2022 for example. Meanwhile, counselling and psychotherapy are not yet a regulated profession in the NWT, and I have been approached by practitioners with concerns about the lack of a regulatory body to these professions here.

Anyone in the NWT can currently offer counselling or psychotherapy services without any formal education or training as long as they are not claiming to be a psychologist or social worker. Trained counselling therapists may register with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association where registration with the CCPA is not mandatory; it's voluntary. This is potentially a significant issue with severe impacts on public safety, Mr. Speaker.

Regulation protects the public. A regulatory body ensures that practitioners are held to high standards, promoting safe, ethical and evidence-based practices. When harm does occur currently, there is no avenue to report someone for unethical or dangerous care if they are not a voluntary association or regulatory body member. Unregulated, untrained individuals providing counselling care may worsen things for those already in crisis. Harm can occur due to negligence, malpractice, ethical violations, or incompetence. Regulation helps mitigate these risks by ensuring that only qualified professionals provide care and that harmful practices are addressed. We expect registered nurses and physicians to maintain up-to-date licensing, ensuring their ability to provide safe care. Why should we not hold mental health professions to the same standards? I want to -- or similar standards, Mr. Speaker.

I want to highlight that valuable education and training are not limited to colonial systems, and it is crucial that any regulatory framework developed for the NWT takes this into account. Currently, the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario has a policy entitled the Indigenous Pathway Policy which aims to support the registration of appropriately qualified Indigenous practitioners of psychotherapy through consultation and collaboration with Indigenous communities. The CRPO also recognizes that knowledge-keepers, elders, and practitioners of Indigenous traditional healing practices can provide supervision to registrants recognizing that supervision from -- sorry, Mr. Speaker. I request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the CRPO also recognizes that knowledge-keepers, elders, and practitioners of Indigenous traditional healing practices can provide supervision to registrants recognizing that supervision from noncolonial educated and trained individuals has value. Similar policies would be essential if regulation were achieved in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'll have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member from the Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to discuss Enterprise being put under administration.

Enterprise is still recovering from the 2023 wildfires which destroyed homes and businesses and displaced most of its residents. Mr. Speaker, there have been no clear plans since the fires. Enterprise lost people on its council in early 2024, and media reported widespread lack of confidence. On May 7, 2025, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs made an order declaring the hamlet of Enterprise be placed under administration due to the governance, financial, and operational challenges.

Mr. Speaker, section 159 of the Territorial Hamlets Act allows the Minister to declare a hamlet subject to administration and appoint a municipal administrator. This administrator can exercise the powers and perform the duties of a council under the Act. As a result, council is deemed to have resigned, and the office remains vacant until a new election is held.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister's orders effectively relieve the mayor and all members of the council of their duties. This measure was considered necessary to stabilize operations, ensure good governance, and address the challenges faced by the community, according to the press release.

Mr. Speaker, residents need to know the next steps. Some residents are still living in Hay River. They want to know when Enterprise will be move-in ready. My constituents are asking what plans are in place for delivering services and programs on behalf of Enterprise. Now that council has been dissolved, when will an election be held? I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my constituents of Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh following the spring federal election with great anticipation, a sediment echoed throughout this Assembly. For some time, there has been serious uncertainty about how outcomes of the federal election could affect our efforts to tackle the many challenges facing our territory, in particular the ongoing housing crisis.

The result is not clear. Mr. Carney and the Liberal party have returned to office promising a new government agency dedicated to building 500,000 new homes a year across the country. While this plan is ambitious, it is not without precedent. For decades, the federal government built homes across Canada and here in the Northwest Territories. Those efforts made real progress until the mid 1990s. Many people in the North and the small communities are still living in those homes today. Unfortunately, the beginning of our modern housing crisis can be tracked back to the moment of federal government transferred housing responsibility to the territory government. The NWT has since fallen behind by hundreds of homes a year or 7,500 in total approximately and simply do not have the resources to keep up.

Public housing wait lists grew, vacancy rates plummet, and older homes slip into disrepair. We are now at a turning point. But this moment is about more than just catching up on the housing shortages. It's about ensuring we never face a crisis like this again, and that won't happen until Indigenous housing is led by Indigenous governments. Only then, truly understand the unique needs of their communities. They have community members ready to design policies, administer programs, and construction to maintain homes. We need to give them the authority and resources to get started. My constituents can't wait any longer for the GNWT to move beyond its failing policies and commit to new Indigenous-led housing consensus.

A strong first step would be to revisit the successful historic initiative by reinstating the old HAP programs:

• Homeownership assistance program,
• Home improvement program,
• Senior assistance home assistance program, and
• Emergency repair program.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. But at this time, with the funding flowing directly to the Indigenous governments, along with funding for public housing and CRC operation and maintenance funds. My communities and I are eager to hear from firm commitments in that direction because this work can't wait any longer. I would have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member from Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I want to offer my sincere condolences to all who have lost loved ones over the last few months. Grief is uncomfortable and difficult, especially in trying times.

I rise today to speak about Nunakput, a riding and constituency that elected me to represent and advocate for those that live in the most remote communities in the Northwest Territories. Seeing people travel on the land with the return of spring and warmer weather brings me joy and hope as many families are harvesting geese and catching fish coming home with smiling faces and nice-looking tans. Communities remain resilient as many families continue to face poverty and unaffordability with limited access to health care and education systems.

I think we all have a good idea of what we need, including a locally skilled labour market, an engaged and thriving workforce, improved housing, and more frontline services with vibrant schools and health centres. The work we do, the discussions we have, the questions we ask, our priorities; this is our vision, Mr. Speaker, a better territory than what we started this 20th Assembly with.

Our territory is seeing a surge of illegal activity, including amplified heavy drug activity and health centres overrun with preventative accidents and illnesses. What can we do?

First, we need to speak the truth for our children and our grandchildren. We need healthy families, healthy communities, and healthy parents saying no more. We must be more engaged in our communities, attend events and meetings, ask questions, volunteer, and run for elected office. I continue to trust our Premier, Cabinet, and I trust Regular Members to lead and act in the best interests of this territory. But, again, we need to remind ourselves we need to truly do what's best for this territory. As we begin this session, let's think about it. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Nunakput. Members' statements.