Debates of Feb. 10th, 2026

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 know.

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer Or Reflection

Winter Road and Ice Crossing Implementation

Minister Absesnt from the House

Arctic Economic and Security Corridor Memorandum of Understanding

Mackenzie Valley Highway Community Sessions

Compassionate Accommodation for Medical Travel

Cultural Safety in the Health Care System

Black History Month Events in Yellowknife

Opening Comments

Abandoned Vehicles Amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act

Mandate and Priorities of the Legislative Assembly

Economic Future of the Northwest Territories

Celebration of Life of Dolphus “Duffy” Cazon

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Community Engagement on Makenzie Valley Highway

Cultural Safety and Stabilizing Workforce in Healthcare System

Accelerating Resource Development in the Northwest Territories

Land Tenure and Land Transfers

Amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act Concerning Abandoned Vehicles

Long-term Benefits of Resource Development in the Tlicho Region

Diamond Mine Socioeconomic Agreements

Implementation of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Persons Concerning Healthcare

Fire Safety in Encampments

Cost of Living Subsidies for Power Rates

Air Ambulance Contracts

Taltson Hydro Expansion

Arctic Economic Security Corridor

Fire Marshall's Office and Encampments

Aspen Apartments

Tabled Document 459-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 26-20(1): Report on the Statutory Review of the Legal Aid Act Tabled Document 460-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 30-20(1): Report on the Review of the 2024-2025 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Information and Privacy Commissioner Tabled Document 461-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 32-20(1): Report on the Review of the 2024-2025 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission

Bill 40: An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act, Deemed Read

Bill 41: An Act to Amend the Real Estate Agents Licensing Act, Deemed Read

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 453-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2025-2026

Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Point Of Order

Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 137-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 453-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I will go to the Minister.

February 10th

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is being driven by some unexpected issues that came to light once the bridge system was opened up for the already-known repairs that were taking place, and as a result of that, when they identified an opportunity to do some additional work on shuttering plates, rubber control springs, that these two warranted replacement, and as an opportunity, given that the bridge was already opened up -- well, paused for traffic or reduced traffic and had these cable systems opened up, it was an opportunity to ensure that this work also got done at the same time. Thank you.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. I will go back to the Member from Great Sleeve.

February 10th

Kate Reid Great Slave

Yeah, thanks, Mr. Chair. I was just trying to confirm it wasn't more cable work. So thank you for that. Nothing further.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. Is there any further questions? Seeing no further questions.

Department of Infrastructure, asset management, not previously authorized, $1,095,000. Does committee agree?

February 10th

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Department of Infrastructure, operations expenditures, corporate management, not previously authorized, $537,000. Are there any questions? Seeing no further questions.

Department of Infrastructure, corporate management, not previously authorized, $537,000. Does committee agree?

February 10th

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Department of Infrastructure, operations expenditures, energy and strategic initiatives, not previously authorized, $2,610,000. Are there any questions? Seeing no further questions.

Department of Infrastructure, energy and strategic initiatives, not previously authorized, $2,610,000. Does committee agree?

February 10th

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Department of Infrastructure, operations expenditures, programs and services, not previously authorized, $10,315,000. Are there any questions?

I will go to the Member from Yellowknife North.

February 10th

Shauna Morgan Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So this year, once again, we're seeing a major deficit projected for marine transportation services. But in 2025, my understanding was that there were no cancellations on -- in terms of the barge season and that they were able to run a full season. So can the Minister explain why for 2025, in particular, they're still running a $10.3 million deficit. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I will go to the Minister.

February 10th

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, in some ways, although it's a bit cold comfort at this point, the deficit was actually predicted to be much higher but it was because of the fact that they were able to recoup some costs by way of increasing the revenues that it was not as bad as it might otherwise have been. Nevertheless, there's still some fairly significant costs associated. So for instance in terms of the fuel costs that continue to be high as well as an almost $2 million grants in lieu, property tax charge that was owing and that needed to be dealt with, and the fact that the fleet remains a fairly aged one does mean that the maintenance costs continue to be often high and, indeed, often higher than anticipated subject to supply chain availability which has not improved historically much over the last several years. So, again, the sales and revenues are, I would suggest, stabilizing, but that hasn't fully caught up on some of the costs. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. I will go to the Member from Yellowknife North.

February 10th

Shauna Morgan Yellowknife North

Can the Minister explain what the plan is, then, for marine transportation services or what at least the options are for moving forward and leaving these deficits behind? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I will go to the Minister.

February 10th

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I mean, there is right now, in progress, work to convert MTS to a Crown corporation and it -- otherwise -- I mean, I do want to emphasize for folks in smaller communities and, you know, up the Mackenzie Valley up into the High Arctic that it is recognized that the barge resupply is an essential service which makes it difficult to simply run it as one might a private company, and that's where the decision was ultimately made to try to convert it to a Crown corporation, the hope being, Mr. Chair, that we can make -- take advantage of some of what are efficiencies in a system that isn't within the public service system however, but without that -- so it may -- it may see that there's some improvement as it would be run more from a corporate environment. That said, you know, I can't say for certain, Mr. Chair, that this is likely to become a profit-generating entity but the hope, of course, is that we can get to a place that it's not requiring as much to make up losses in the revolving fund. Thank you.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I will go back to the Member from Yellowknife North.

February 10th

Shauna Morgan Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am sure this will be the subject of some in-depth conversations to come, but I will leave it there for now. Thank you.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. Are there any further questions from Members? Okay, seeing no further questions.

Department of Infrastructure, programs and services, not previously authorized, $10,315,000. Does committee agree?

February 10th

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Department of Infrastructure, operations expenditures, regional operations, not previously authorized, $23,289,000. Are there any questions?

I will go back to the Member from Great Slave.

February 10th

Kate Reid Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So in the supplementary, in regional operations, there is $1.893 million to provide funding for contractual obligations associated with the base rent and operations and maintenance for GNWT-leased facilities. I assume that just means office space on the whole. But maybe the Minister can speak to how they are addressing this ongoing cost pressure challenge. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

February 10th

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I will go to the Minister.

Debates of Feb. 10th, 2026

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