Debates of October 31, 2025 (day 72)

October
31
2025
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
72
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 35: Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 2026, Carried
Bill 36: Trespass to Property Act, Carried
Committee Motion 132-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 – Rule 7.3 – Written Questions Submission, Carried
Committee Motion 133-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 – Guidelines for Written Questions, Carried
Committee Motion 134-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 – Daily Order of Business on Thursdays, Carried
Committee Motion 135-20(1): Committee Report 33-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2 – Sitting after Thanksgiving, Carried
Committee Report 34-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of Motion 56-20(1): Code of Conduct referral to the Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges, Received and Adopted by the Assembly
Member’s Statement 797-20(1): Deh Cho Negotiations Process
Member’s Statement 798-20(1): French Language Education
Member’s Statement 799-20(1): Premier’s Awards Winners
Member’s Statement 800-20(1): Economic Impacts of Federal Budget
Member’s Statement 801-20(1): Reflections on the Sitting
Member’s Statement 802-20(1): Education in the Tlicho Region
Member’s Statement 803-20(1): Ending Daylight Savings Time
Member’s Statement 804-20(1): Halloween Message
Member’s Statement 805-20(1): Celebration of Life for Rolande Norwegian
Minister’s Statement 165-20(1): First Poppy Ceremony
Minister’s Statement 166-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories-Literacy Council Agreement
Minister’s Statement 167-20(1): Update on Non-Government Organizations Sector Support Initiative
Motion 65-20(1): Extended Adjournment of the House to February 4, 2026, Carried
Question 905-20(1): Dehcho Negotiations Process
Question 906-20(1): NOrthwest Territories Nominee Program
Question 907-20(1): Midwifery Services
Question 908-20(1): French-first Language Education Rights
Question 909-20(1): Housing Northwest Territories Contracting Process
Question 910-20(1): Supports for Students in Small Communities
Question 911-20(1): Environmental Securities
Question 912-20(1): Building Standards Legislation
Question 913-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Procurement Processes
Question 914-20(1): Animal Welfare and Emergency Management
Question 915-20(1): Environmental Securities
Question 916-20(1): CT Scanner Procurement for Inuvik Hospital
Question 917-20(1): Rayrock Minesite Remediation
Question 918-20(1): Chipsealing of the Inuvik Bypass Road
Question 919-20(1): Government Service Delivery Training
Question 920-20(1): New Housing Allocation for Tlicho Communities
Question 921-20(1): Impacts of Jordan’s Principle Funding Changes
Question 922-20(1): Building Standards Framework
Tabled Document 432-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act
Tabled Document 435-20(1): Northwest Territories Hydro and Northwest Territories Power Corporation 2024-2025 Annual Report
Tabled Document 436-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 61-20(1): Remuneration of Essential Staff During an Evacuation
Tabled Document 437-20(1): 2024-2025 Annual Report: Action Plan in Response to the Calls for Justice on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
Tabled Document 438-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 63-20(1): Creation of an Emergency Management Agency for the Northwest Territories
Written Question 23-20(1): Healthcare Professionals Returning as Locums
Statements

Member’s Statement 797-20(1): Deh Cho Negotiations Process

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in this session, I spoke about the importance of the Akaitcho process reaching an outcome that is equitable and respects my people's rights. Today, I want to highlight another First Nation, the Deh Cho, who are also actively engaged in concluding a land claim process that will recognize and uphold their rights and interests.

The Deh Cho First Nations have been engaged in negotiations with the territorial and federal government to secure an agreement in principle that reflects their rights, values, and vision for the future; however, the Deh Cho negotiation leaders report that they have been seeing very little movement at the negotiation table. That lack of progress is deeply concerning and undermines the trust and goodwill that are essential to any meaningful negotiation process.

Mr. Speaker, the Deh Cho have tabled a proposal that is thoughtful, principled, and grounded in decades of dialogue and community engagement. They deserve more than a passive acknowledgement. They require action.

The GNWT mandate recognizes that a strong and respectful relationship with Indigenous governments is integral to the future prosperity of the Northwest Territories. Yet this negotiation process has now spanned over two decades and prolonged delays, risk eroding the momentum and hope that communities have worked so hard to build. I call on the Premier to demonstrate his commitment to this process by becoming personally involved. I urge him to immediately instruct the GNWT negotiators to act on the Deh Cho proposals so that negotiators can move forward in a timely and respectful manner. Leadership at the highest level is needed to now ensure that this opportunity is not lost. The Deh Cho nations are showing patience and resolve and are hopeful an agreement in principle can be finalized with the territorial and federal government by June 2026. It is time for the territorial government to rise to the occasion with a meaningful engagement. Let's honour the spirit of reconciliation not just with his words, but they deserve action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Before we go on to the next person, I'd like to recognize a special guest, our colleague, my former colleague in the 18th Assembly, but the Member from the Deh Cho, in the 17th and 18th, we welcome you here to the Assembly Mr. Nadli.

Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.