Debates of October 16, 2025 (day 63)

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Statements
Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Question.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion is carried. The Standing Committee on Social Development review of Bill 23, An Act to Amend the Children's Law Act, is extended to October 29th, 2025.

---Carried

Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills. Member from Monfwi.

Bill 24: An Act to Amend the Family law Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Family Law Act.

Bill 24 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on March 13, 2025, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development for review.

On June 11, 2025, the committee held a public hearing with the Minister of Justice, and the clause-by-clause review for Bill 24 is scheduled for Monday, October 20th, 2025.

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Rule 8.3(2) of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the review period for Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Family Law Act, be extended to October 29, 2025. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Question.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion is carried. The Standing Committee on Social Development review of Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Family Law Act, is extended to October 29th, 2025.

---Carried

Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills. Member from Monfwi.

Bill 27: An Act to Amend the Protection Against Family Violence Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Protection Against Family Violence Act.

Bill 27 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on May 28, 2025, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development for review.

On August 19, 2025, the committee held a public hearing with the Minister of Justice, and the clause-by-clause review for Bill 27 is scheduled for Monday, October 20th, 2025.

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Rule 8.3(2) of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the review period for Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Protection Against Family Violence Act, be extended to October 29, 2025. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Question.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion is carried. The Standing Committee on Social Development review of Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Protection Against Family Violence Act, is extended to October 29, 2025.

---Carried

Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills. Member from Monfwi.

Bill 28: An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, No. 2

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 28, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, No. 2.

Bill 28 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on May 29, 2025, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development for review.

The standing committee held a clause-by-clause review of the bill on September 8, 2025, with the Minister of Justice.

Mr. Speaker, the committee reports that Bill 28, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, No. 2, is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tabling of Documents

Tabled Document 366-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 49-20(1), Compassionate Medical Evaluation Policy (Premier for HSS)

Tabled Document 367-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 50-20(1), Appointment of Person to Investigate the Critical Incident of Avery Burke, Wesley Marcellais and Hilary Norwegian

Tabled Document 368-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 55-20(1), Staffing Solutions to Rebuild and Reform Healthcare Now

Tabled Document 369-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 23-20(1), Report on the Review of Land Use Permitting and Water Licensing Regulatory Framework in the Northwest Territories

Tabled Document 370-20(1): Additional Information for Return to Written Question 17-20(1), Staff Turnover and Vacancy Rates

Tabled Document 371-20(1): Additional Information for Return to Written Question 18-20(1), Surgical Wait Times and Backlogs

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following six documents: GNWT Response to Motion 49-20(1), Compassionate Medical Evaluation Policy GNWT Response to Motion 50-20(1), Appointment of Person to Investigate the Critical Incident of Avery Burke, Wesley Marcellais and Hilary Norwegian; GNWT Response to Motion 55-20(1), Staffing Solutions to Rebuild and Reform Health Care Now; GNWT Response to Committee Report 23-20(1), Report on the Review of Land Use Permitting and Water Licensing Regulatory Framework in the Northwest Territories; Additional Information for Return to Written Question 17-20(1), Staff Turnover and Vacancy Rates; and, Additional Information for Return to Written Question 18-20(1), Surgical Wait Times and Backlogs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.

Tabled Document 372-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 22-20(1), Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report on the Review on the 2023-2024 Public Accounts

Tabled Document 373-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 24-20(1), Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report on the Review of the Auditor General’s 2024 Audit of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal Project (Finance)

Tabled Document 374-20(1): Interim Financial Report 2024-2025

Tabled Document 375-20(1): Northwest Territories Power Corporation Amended Capital Budget

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents: GNWT Response to Committee Report 22-20(1), Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report on the Review on the 2023-2024 Public Accounts; GNWT Response to Committee Report 24-20(1), Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report on the Review of the Auditor General's 2024 Audit of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal Project; Interim Financial Report 2024-2025; and Northwest Territories Power Corporation Amended Capital Budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Tabling of documents. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Tabled Document 376-20(1): Report of the Northwest Territories Integrity Commissioner on the Complaint by Mr. Benjamin Adams about Mr. Shane Thompson, MLA

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pursuant to section 106(4) of the Legislative Assembly Executive Council Act, as deputy Speaker, I wish to table the report of the Northwest Territories Integrity Commissioner on the complaints by Mr. Benjamin Adams about Mr. Shane Thompson, MLA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Tabling of documents.

Tabled Document 377-20(1): Elections NWT Annual Report 2024-2025

Tabled Document 378-20(1): Northwest Territories Equal Pay Commissioner Annual Report 2024-2025

Tabled Document 379-20(1): Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report 2024-2025

Tabled Document 380-20(1): Northwest Territories Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner Annual Report 2024/2025

Tabled Document 381-20(1): Northwest Territories Integrity Commissioner Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly for 2024

Tabled Document 382-20(1): Languages Commissioner of the Northwest Territories Annual Report 2024/2025

Tabled Document 383-20(1): Speaking Up for Fairness – 2024/2025 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Ombud

Tabled Document 384-20(1): Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly Annual Report 2025

Notice of Motion for First Reading of Bills

Bill 32: An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, No. 2

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, October 20th, 2025, I will present Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, No. 2, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Reports of the Committee of the Whole. Third reading of bills.

Orders of the Day

Speaker: Mr. Glen Rutland

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Orders of the day for Friday, October 17th, 2025, 10 a.m.

Prayer or Reflection

Ministers’ Statements

Members’ Statements

Returns to Oral Questions

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Acknowledgements

Oral Questions

Written Questions

Returns to Written Questions

Replies to the Commissioner’s Address

Petitions

Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

Reports of Standing and Special Committees

Tabling of Documents

Notices of Motion

Motions

Motion 61-20(1): Remuneration of Essential Staff During an Evacuation

Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills

First Reading of Bills

Second Reading of Bills

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Report of Committee of the Whole

Third Reading of Bills

Orders of the Day

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Friday, October 17th, 2025, at 10 a.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 4:27 p.m.