Debates of October 17, 2025 (day 64)

October
17
2025
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
64
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Mrs. Yakeleya
Assembly Members
Topics
Follow-up to Oral Question 682-20(1): Support for Healthcare Workers in the NWT
Follow-up to Oral Question 692-20(1): Extended Health Benefits Program
Follow-up to Oral Question 726-20(2): Indigenous Governance and Guidance in Healthcare
Member’s Statement 710-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program
Member’s Statement 711-20(1): Government Support for Mining Industry
Member’s Statement 712-20(1): Small Business Week
Member’s Statement 713-20(1): Mackenzie Valley Highway
Member’s Statement 714-20(1): Support for Transitional Students
Member’s Statement 715-20(1): Condition of Dempster Highway
Member’s Statement 716-20(1): Family Violence
Member’s Statement 717-20(1): Negotiation of Akaitcho Final Agreement
Member’s Statement 718-20(1): Yellowknife Encampment
Member’s Statement 719-20(1): Support for Northwest Territories Economy
Member’s Statement 720-20(1): Celebration of Life of Betty Ann Villenueve
Member’s Statement 721-20(1): Eulogy for Samuel Gargan
Minister’s Statement 146-20(1): 2025-2026 Fall Economic and Fiscal Update
Minister’s Statement 147-20(1): Capital Delivery Status Update
Motion 61-20(1): Remuneration of Essential Staff During an Evacuation, Carried
Question 777-20(1): Status of Mineral Resources Act Regulations
Question 778-20(1): Mining and Economic Opportunities
Question 779-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program
Question 780-20(1): Status of the Akaitcho Process Negotiations
Question 781-20(1): Family Violence Strategic Framework and Action Plan
Question 782-20(1): Opening of Yellowknife Transitional Housing Facility
Question 783-20(1): Maintenance of Dempster Highway
Question 784-20(1): Support for Transitional Students
Question 785-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program
Question 786-20(1): Mineral Incentive Program
Question 787-20(1): Colville Lake School
Question 788-20(1): Progress Towards a Polytechnic University
Question 789-20(1): 2023 Wildfire Emergency Response After-Action Review Recommendations
Question 790-20(1): Forgiveness of Elders’ Arrears for Housing
Question 791-20(1): Opening of Yellowknife Transitional Housing Facility
Question 792-20(1): North of 60 Mining Tax Credit
Recorded Vote
Tabled Document 390-20(1): Northern Employees Benefits Services (NEBS) Pension Plan Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2024
Tabled Document 391-20(1): Additional Information for Follow-Up to Oral Question 692-20(1)
Statements

Member’s Statement 710-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to continue to talk about the NWT nominee program. In September, the Minister announced that Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada has increased the Northwest Territories' 2025 allocation for our nominee program by 47 nominees which brings the total to 197. This does not restore the NWT allocations 2024 levels of 300 spots, but it's a step in the right direction.

I'm heartened to see that the Minister continues to advocate to her federal counterparts when she was in Ottawa with her Cabinet colleagues and Council of Leaders, and then this week in Toronto, she attended the forum of Ministers responsible for immigration meeting. I'm hopeful for some good news.

Limited spots means that there are knock-on effects for newcomers, many who are panicked and need support. Crucial support is not readily available in the NWT, including but not limited to immigration lawyers. This creates intense anxiety for people who think they are doing all the right things, following all the right paths, and are stymied by the whiplash of federal policy changes. Additionally, I hear from newcomers that they continue to be frustrated that those here the longest are not considered a priority, which means they need to apply to extend their work permits which puts them into perpetual limbo.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to raise two important points:

1. We are not facing the same challenges south of 60 that have created this policy turnaround. Our newcomers are already here and established, building their lives and families and supporting our communities; and,

2. While the support of the business community here in Yellowknife and in our regional centres is greatly appreciated, I would also like to highlight that everyone in the NWT who is not Indigenous also has a newcomer story in their family. Being kind to those who want the same opportunity to be a good neighbour costs nothing and makes our communities stronger. I will have questions for the Minister of ECE. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

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