Debates of October 20, 2025 (day 65)

October
20
2025
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
65
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay MacDonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Mrs. Yakeleya
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 26: An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, Carried
Bill 32: An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, No. 2., Deemed Read
Committee Motion 79-20(1): Deferral Motion – Tabled Document 386-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2024-2025 – Deferral of Estimates
Committee Motion 80-20(1): Deferral Motion – Tabled Document 387-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2024-2025 – Deferral of Estimates
Member’s Statement 722-20(1): Support for Wildfire Evacuees
Member’s Statement 723-20(1): Expansion of the Yellowknife International Airport
Member’s Statement 724-20(1): Arctic Security Economic Corridor
Member’s Statement 725-20(1): Access to Primary Healthcare
Member’s Statement 726-20(1): 2025 Wildfire Evacuation of Fort Providence
Member’s Statement 727-20(1): Northwest Territories Healthcare Excellence Canada’s Cultural Safety Design Collaborative Team Report: “Honouring the Voices of Indigenous Peoples – Actions for Change in the Northwest Territories Health Care Sys...
Member’s Statement 728-20(1): Income Support Programs
Member’s Statement 729-20(1): Early Dyslexia Screening
Member’s Statement 730-20(1): Celebration of Life of Reginald Bellefontaine
Member’s Statement 731-20(1): Arctic Winter Games Funding
Minister’s Statement 148-20(1): 2025 Wildfire Season
Minister’s Statement 149-20(1): Update on Emergency Management Activities
Minister’s Statement 150-20(1): Model of Care in Small community Health Centres
Question 793-20(1): Yellowknife Primary Care Clinic Lab Testing Capacity
Question 794-20(1): Strategic Infrastructure Investment at Yellowknife Airport
Question 795-20(1): Improving Access to Primary Care
Question 796-20(1): Northwest Territories Healthcare Excellence Canada’s Cultural Safety Design Collaborative Team Report: “Honouring the Voices of Indigenous Peoples – Actions for Change in the Northwest Territories Health Care System”
Question 797-20(1): Impacts of Wildfire on Tlicho Communities
Question 798-20(1): Wildfire Response Assessments
Question 799-20(1): Sport Funding in the Northwest Territories
Question 800-20(1): Early Literacy Screening
Question 801-20(1): Healthcare Sample Analysis Local Capacity
Question 802-20(1): Regulation of Paramedics
Question 803-20(1): Wildlife Management Strategy
Question 804-20(1): Supports for Community Health Nurse
Question 805-20(1): Wildfire Preparedness and Emergency Management
Question 806-20(1): Wildfire Management Strategy
Question 807-20(1): Arctic Economic Security Corridor
Tabled Document 394-20(1): Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee Annual Report 2024-2025
Tabled Document 395-20(1): Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission Northwest Territories and Nunavut Annual Report 2024
Statements

Question 797-20(1): Impacts of Wildfire on Tlicho Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our people deserve to feel safe in their homes and not live in fear every summer. With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, in 2005 Tlicho Agreement was ratified and came into effect. Since that time, numerous wildfires have burned over Tlicho lands and threatened Tlicho communities. I would like to ask the Minister how many hectares of land -- he might not have the answer, but I'm going to ask him. How many hectares of land have burned within the Tlicho region since 2005? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Minister of ECC.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Member for the question. Not data that I have off the top of my head, but I'm happy to collect that and return a response to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, readiness and preparedness are critical to wildfire management; however, the evacuation that occurred this summer suggests that the government's wildfire operations are still too reactive in nature. What specific steps is the government taking to improve early detection and response measures so communities are not forced to evacuate at the last minute? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Member from Monfwi, that there is a new line of questioning so I will move you on -- that's going to a different Minister. So I will put you on the list so you're back on right away. Thank you.

Oral questions. Member from Deh Cho.