Debates of May 29, 2025 (day 62)

May
29
2025
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
62
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay Macdonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong
Assembly Members
Topics
Acknowledgement 15-20(1): Ecole Alain St-Cyr 35th Anniversary for Staff and Students
Bill 28: An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, No. 2, Carried
Bill 29: First Responders Workers' Compensation Amendment Act. Carried
Bill 31: Bill 31, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 1, 20252026. Deemed Read
Bill 31: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 1, 20252026, Carried
Follow-up to Oral Question 671-20(1): Unauthorized Disclosures of Personal Information
Member’s Statement 685-20(1): Education and Research Capacity in the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 686-20(1): Northwest Territories Building Standards Code Development
Member’s Statement 687-20(1): Glamour Alley Burlesque Show in Yellowknife
Member’s Statement 688-20(1): Promoting Trades Careers for High School Graduates
Member’s Statement 689-20(1): Restoring Public Trust in Government
Member’s Statement 690-20(1): Status of Monfwi Clean Energy Projects
Member’s Statement 691-20(1): Future of Adult Learning and Community-based Literacy Outreach
Member’s Statement 692-20(1): Outstanding Issues in the Spring Session of the Legislative Assembly
Member’s Statement 693-20(1): Congratulations to Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh and Indigenous Yellowknife HIgh School Graduates
Member’s Statement 694-20(1): Congratulations to Graduates in Inuvik
Member’s Statement 695-20(1): Congratulations to Graduates in Nunakput
Member’s Statement 696-20(1): Congratulations to Graduates in Nahendeh
Member’s Statement 697-20(1): Celebration of Life for Ron Holtorf
Minister’s Statement 142-20(1): Smoking Prohibition in Housing NWT Units
Minister’s Statement 143-20(1): Education Year-End Wrap Up
Motion 60-20(1): Extended Adjournment of the House to October 16, 2025, Carried
Motion 61-20(1): Remuneration of Essential Staff During an Evacuation
Question 748-20(1): Northern United Place Energy Efficiency Renewal Project
Question 749-20(1): Guidelines for Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Government of the Northwest Territories
Question 750-20(1): Addiction and Substance Abuse Treatments in the Northwest Territories
Question 751-20(1): Senior Envoy to the Government of Canada
Question 752-20(1): Northwest Territories Building Code
Question 753-20(1): Whati Transmission Line
Question 754-20(1): Aurora College Community Learning Centres
Question 755-20(1): Research and Innovation in the Northwest Territories
Question 756-20(1): Supporting Northern Businesses Affected by Tariffs
Question 757-20(1): Health Permit Requirements
Question 758-20(1): Implementation of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls to Action
Question 759-20(1): Healthcare Staff Recruitment and Retention
Question 760-20(1): Development of Indigenous Procurement Policy
Question 761-20(1): Monitoring and Review of Procurement Contracts
Question 762-20(1): Functional Communications Review
Recorded Vote
Tabled Document 358-20(1): Canada Energy Regulator’s 2024-25 Annual Report of Activities under the Northwest Territories’ Oil and Gas Operations Act
Tabled Document 359-20(1): 2025-2026 Health and Social Services Authority Budgets Summary
Tabled Document 360-20(1): Workers’ Advisor Office Northwest Territories and Nunavut 2024 Annual Report
Tabled Document 361-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 29: First Responders Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act
Tabled Document 363-20(1): Summary of Members’ Absences for the Period February 5, 2025, to May 20, 2025
Tabled Document 365-20(1): Draft Motion – Remuneration of Essential Staff During an Evacuation
Written Question 17-20(1): Staff Turnover and Vacancy Rates
Written Question 20-20(1): Access to Rehabilitation Supports
Statements

Question 758-20(1): Implementation of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls to Action

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, Indigenous women across the North are looking for meaningful action. The Calls for Justice from MMIWG are not optional; they are obligations. Our women deserve real change, not just words. My questions are for the Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs relating to the implementation of the calls that specifically address safety, health, and rights of Indigenous women and girls.

Can the Minister state how many of the Calls for Justice relating specifically to Indigenous women and girls have been implemented by this government? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Very important question but very technical. I don't have that level of detail, but this is one where I'm more than happy to provide a written response back to this House and to the Member because I want to make sure that that information is getting out there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yeah, that's what I was going to ask next. Can the Minister explain how the department is actioning these calls. Well that, and then will the Minister commit to tabling an update in this House. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm more than happy to table an update in this House. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary. Member from Monfwi.

Okay, and he didn't answer the second question. Can the Minister explain how the department is actioning these calls? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So in other jurisdictions in Canada, the Calls for Justice are to highlight a segment of the population that is ignored often and underserved. Here in the Northwest Territories, we're an Indigenous territory, and the policies that we put in place when it comes to health and social services, to justice, they better be focused on addressing those Calls for Justice. That's always at the forefront of our mind. When we -- you know, we're amending pieces of legislation right now to help address some of those issues. So everything we do, we keep that at the forefront of our mind. And if we're -- if departments aren't, then we as Ministers are doing what we can to ensure that they do. And if we're not doing it, the MLAs need to ensure that they're holding us to task on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Oral questions. Member from Frame Lake.