Debates of October 30, 2025 (day 71)

October
30
2025
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
71
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. Lesa Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 33: Technical Safety Statutes Amendment Act
Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act
Bill 35: Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 206
Bill 36: Appropriation Act, (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2026-2027
Bill 36: Appropriation Act, (Infrastructure Expenditures), 20262027
Bill 37: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 20242025
Bill 37: Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 20242025
Bill 38: Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 20252026
Bill 39: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 20252026
Bill 39: Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 20252026
Committee Motion 100-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Homeownership in Communities Initiating Locally Led Housing Programs, Carried
Committee Motion 101-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Homeownership Assistance Program, Carried
Committee Motion 102-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Review of Municipal Funding Policies, Carried
Committee Motion 103-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Incentives for Development of Affordable Market Housing, Carried
Committee Motion 104-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Expedited Development of a Territorial Building Code, Carried
Committee Motion 105-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Territorial Trades Strategy for Housing-related Trades, Carried
Committee Motion 106-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right ??? Memorandums of Understanding with Indigenous Governments to Encourage Housing Development, Carri...
Committee Motion 107-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Coordination to Remove Barriers to Housing Development, Carried
Committee Motion 108-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Revision of Repair and Maintenance Policies, Carried
Committee Motion 109-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Transitional Housing, Carried
Committee Motion 110-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - 24-Hour Shelter in Yellowknife, Carried
Committee Motion 111-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - 24-Hour Shelters Across the Territory, Carried
Committee Motion 112-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations Providing Housing, Carried
Committee Motion 113-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Standardized Encampment Policy, Carried
Committee Motion 114-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Funding Mechanisms for Indigenous Governments and Organizations, Carried
Committee Motion 115-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Unified Territorial Advocacy Plan, Carried
Committee Motion 116-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Three-Year Housing Plan, Carried
Committee Motion 117-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Transparency and Reporting of Distinction-based Funding Allocations, Carried
Committee Motion 118-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Assessing Eligibility for Homeownership Programs, Carried
Committee Motion 119-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Age and Condition of Housing Units under Homeownership Initiative Policy, Carried
Committee Motion 120-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Housing Appeal Process, Carried
Committee Motion 121-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Rights-based Approach to Housing Rating System, Carried
Committee Motion 122-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Public Housing Tenant Eligibility Policy, Carried
Committee Motion 123-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Community Housing Plan Policy, Carried
Committee Motion 124-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Audit of the Small Community Homelessness Fund, Carried
Committee Motion 125-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Eligible Income Thresholds for Co-Payment Programs, Carried
Committee Motion 126-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Expansion of Eligibility Coverage, Carried
Committee Motion 127-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Disposal of Residential Property Policy Review, Carried
Committee Motion 128-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Community Housing Support Initiative Program, Carried
Committee Motion 129-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Housing Northwest Territories Financial Policies Review regarding Treaty Obligations, Carried
Committee Motion 130-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Collections Policy Revision, Carried
Committee Motion 131-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Government Response, Carried
Committee Motion 88-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Formal and Official Recognition of Housing as a Human Right, Carried
Committee Motion 89-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Addressing Colonial Legacies Contributing to Indigenous Homelessness, Carried
Committee Motion 90-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Territorial Housing Advocate, Carried
Committee Motion 91-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Legal Remedies for Violations of Right to Housing, Carried
Committee Motion 92-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Residential Tenancies Act Proportionality Framework, Carried
Committee Motion 93-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Review of Public Housing Evictions Policy, Carried
Committee Motion 94-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Housing Options for Individuals Evicted from Public Housing, Carried
Committee Motion 95-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Legal Aid Services for Housing-Related Matters, Carried
Committee Motion 96-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Culturally Appropriate Housing Northwest Territories' Policies, Carried
Committee Motion 97-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Modernization of Residential Tenancies Act, Carried
Committee Motion 98-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Operational Review of Rental Office, Carried
Committee Motion 99-20(1): Committee Report 29-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Committee Project: Housing as a Human Right - Draft Definition of Housing Continuum, Carried
Member' s Statement 787-20(1): Remediation of Lakes Near Rayrock Mine Site
Member' s Statement 788-20(1): Devolution and Economic Development
Member' s Statement 789-20(1): Arctic Security Working Group Meeting in Yellowknife
Member' s Statement 790-20(1): Measures in Departmental Business Plans to Address Trauma
Member' s Statement 791-20(1): Recruitment and Retention of Teachers in Small Communities
Member' s Statement 792-20(1): Strategic Planning
Member' s Statement 793-20(1): Delivery Models of Government Services
Member' s Statement 794-20(1): Expansion of Trades Training Programs
Member' s Statement 795-20(1): Celebration of Life for Bertha Ruby Norwegian
Member' s Statement 796-20(1): Eulogy for Larry Galt
Minister' s Statement 162-20(1): Advancing Northern Critical Infrastructure Projects
Minister' s Statement 163-20(1): Master Service Agreements with Alberta Health Services
Minister' s Statement 164-20(1): Minister Absent from the House
Motion 64-20(1): Naming of the 50th Street Affordable Housing Complex, Carried
Question 888-20(1): Arctic Security Working Group
Question 889-20(1): Teacher Housing Shortage in Small Communities
Question 890-20(1): Departmental Business Plans and Evaluation
Question 891-20(1): Supporting Trades and Apprenticeships
Question 892-20(1): 2025 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly - Housing in the Northwest Territories
Question 893-20(1): Devolution Initiatives
Question 894-20(1): Funding for Therapeutic Specialists in Schools
Question 895-20(1): Strategic Planning and Economic Analysis
Question 896-20(1): Departmental Business Plans
Question 897-20(1): Trades Training and Apprenticeships
Question 898-20(1): Regulation of Online Sports Betting in the Northwest Territories
Question 899-20(1): Northwest Territories Cancer Statistics
Question 900-20(1): Aspen Apartments Project Update
Question 901-20(1): Yellowknife Airport Authority
Question 902-20(1): Health Information Privacy Breach
Question 903-20(1): Orientation and Training for Locums
Question 904-20(1): Master Service Agreements with Alberta Health Service
Recorded Vote
Tabled Document 422-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 33, Technical Safety Statutes Amendment Act
Tabled Document 423-20(1): Inter-Activity Transfers Over $250,000 (April 1 to June 30, 2025)
Tabled Document 428-20(1): 2024-2025 Annual Report - Director of Child and Family Services
Tabled Document 429-20(1): Operating Plans for Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2025-2026 School Year Ending June 30, 2026, Volumes 1 and 2
Tabled Document 430-20(1): Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2024 Annual Report
Statements
Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what it will help is there will be a better sharing of information, more of a streamlined sharing of information, is my understanding through this. However, the interoperability is not going to be fixed through this master service agreement.

The interoperability is our system. It's our actual computer technology that is outdated and can't do anything more, can't connect into anything. So it's the replacement of that system is where we'll be able to.

But there is work for us to be able to work with Alberta to see what options they have that if we are having blood work in Alberta that we can log into their system somehow. But then that too is a cross-jurisdictional issue where we've got a whole bunch of people in the background trying to figure that out legally and technology wise. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course the natural follow-up is if replacement of our system to improve interoperability is what needs to be done, can the Minister give us an update on work towards that? Is there a budget ask coming? Are they working to address that issue? Thank you;

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can give you the short version, is that -- and I am going to use the example. This is the conversation that I've had, is that Alberta, it took them 10 years to figure out the system that they needed and then to start to implement it. Where we are right now is we know what we need to have in our system that's going to appease what we need as a territory. However it is a small territory with a lot of different components that need to feed into one and so this is the problem that we're having right now is we're trying to build that connection with Alberta, and I have the Office of the Chief Information Officer working along with the Department of Health and Social Services, with legal, with all of these pieces, trying to figure out the easiest path forward for us to get what we need within the least amount of time and not such a huge massive cost. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker given how complex that task is I am going to give the Minister a lot of leeway here. Does she think she can commit to having that interoperability problem solved within the term of this Assembly?

Optimistically I can say I hope so. We're trying. We've got all -- I mean, the Minister of Finance and I have said go figure this out fast. So we're hoping that we can figure this out fast. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Colleagues, our time is up for oral questions. And seeing that we've actually gone over 22 minutes, we need to give the translators a good, long break so we will have a break for at least 15 minutes. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

Tabling of Documents

Tabled Document 420-20(1): Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Fund Annual Report 2024-2025

Tabled Document 421-20(1): Plain Language Summary for Bill 33, Technical Safety Statutes Amendment Act

Tabled Document 422-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 33, Technical Safety Statutes Amendment Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents: Physical Activity Sport and Recreation Fund Annual Report 2024-2025; Plain Language Summary for Bill 33: Technical Safety Statutes Amendment Act; and, Statement of Consistency for Bill 33: Technical Safety Statutes Amendment Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and Infrastructure. Tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.

Tabled Document 423-20(1): Inter-Activity Transfers Over $250,000 (April 1 to June 30, 2025)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Inter-Activity Transfers Over $250,000 (April 1st to June 30th, 2025). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you. Tabling of documents. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Tabled Document 424-20(1): NWT Department of Health and Social Services Annual Report 2024-2025

Tabled Document 425-20(1): 2024-2025 Annual Report - Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority

Tabled Document 426-20(1): Tlicho Community Services Agency Health & Social Services Annual Report 2024-25

Tabled Document 427-20(1): Hay River Health and Social Services Authority Annual Report 2024-2025

Tabled Document 428-20(1): 2024-2025 Annual Report - Director of Child and Family Services

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following five documents: NWT Department of Health and Social Services Annual Report 2024-2025; 2024-2025 Annual Report Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority; Tlicho Community Services Agency HSS Annual Report 2024-25; Hay River Health and Social Services Authority Annual Report 2024-2025; and, 2024-2025 Annual Report - Director of Child and Family Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Tabling of documents. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Tabled Document 429-20(1): Operating Plans for Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2025-2026 School Year Ending June 30, 2026, Volumes 1 and 2

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Operating Plans for Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2025-2026 School Year Ending June 30th, 2026, Volumes 1 and 2. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Tabling of documents. Minister of Justice.

Tabled Document 430-20(1): Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2024 Annual Report

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2024 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to go back to item number 9 on the orders of the day, written questions. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Member from Yellowknife Centre is seeking unanimous consent to go to number 9. We have one nay.

First Reading of Bills

Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 34, Trespass to Property Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Pursuant to Rule 8.2(3), Bill 34 is deemed to have first reading and is ready for second reading.

First reading of bills. Minister of Justice.

Bill 35: Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 206

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 35, Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 2026, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Pursuant to Rule 8.2(3), Bill 35 is deemed to have first reading and is ready for second reading.

First reading of bills. Minister of Finance.

Bill 36: Appropriation Act, (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2026-2027

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 36, Appropriation Act, (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2026-2027, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Pursuant to Rule 8.2(3), Bill 36 is deemed to have first reading and is ready for second reading.

First reading of bills. Minister of Finance.

Bill 37: Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 20242025

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 37, Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2024-2025, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Pursuant to Rule 8.2(3), Bill 37 is deemed to have first reading and is ready for second reading.

First reading of bills. Minister of Finance.

Bill 38: Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 20252026

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 38, Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2025-2026, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Pursuant to Rule 8.2(3), Bill 38 is deemed to have first reading and is ready for second reading.

First reading of bills. Minister of Finance.

Bill 39: Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 20252026

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 39, Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2025-2026, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.