Debates of February 4, 2026 (day 73)

February
4
2026
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
73
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, Mr. Nerysoo, 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
Member’s Statement 806-20(1): Congratulations to New Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Chair Erwin Elias
Member’s Statement 807-20(1): Global Political and Economic Situation
Member’s Statement 808-20(1): Mackenzie Valley Highway
Member’s Statement 809-20(1): Northwest Territories Illiteracy Rates
Member’s Statement 810-20(1): Attendance at AME Roundup
Member’s Statement 811-20(1): Importance of Testing for Radon
Member’s Statement 812-20(1): Importance of Day of Recognition for Truth and Reconciliation
Member’s Statement 813-20(1): Northwest Territories Economy
Member’s Statement 814-20(1): Successful Graduate of Indigenous Training Initiative with Canadian Coast Guard
Member’s Statement 815-20(1): Treaty Rights in the Northwest Territories Related to Healthcare
Member’s Statement 816-20(1): Training Programs for Private Security
Member’s Statement 817-20(1): Celebration of Life of Twyla Isaiah
Member’s Statement 818-20(1): National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Minister’s Statement 168-20(1): Sessional Statement
Minister’s Statement 169-20(1): Notice of Budget Address
Question 923-20(1): Department of National Defence Procurement and Investments in the Northwest Territories
Question 924-20(1): Status of Locksmiths, Security Guards and other Security Occupations Act
Question 925-20(1): Department of National Defence Procurement and Investments in the Northwest Territories and Construction of Mackenzie Valley Highway
Question 926-20(1): Construction of Mackenzie Valley Highway
Question 927-20(1): Literacy Rates in the Northwest Territories
Question 928-20(1): Radon Testing, Exposure and Mitigation in the Northwest Territories
Question 929-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Actions Against Misinformation and Denialism regarding Residential Schools
Question 930-20(1): Modernization of Medical Travel Policies
Question 931-20(1): Land Transfers to Support Economic Development and Investments
Question 932-20(1): Federal Government Assault-Style Firearm Buyback Program
Question 933-20(1): Investing in Yellowknife Airport Improvements
Question 934-20(1): Addressing Medical Travel Challenges
Question 935-20(1): Fine Option Programs and Community Justice Committees
Question 936-20(1): Fort Liard Community Policing Program
Return to Written Question 21-20(1): Changes to Child and Youth Counselling Services
Tabled Document 441-20(1): Additional Information for Follow-Up to Oral Question 899-20(1): Northwest Territories Cancer Statistics
Tabled Document 442-20(1): Additional Information for Return to Written Question 25-20(1): Senior Envoy (Premier)
Tabled Document 444-20(1): Jurisdictional Scan of Publicly Funded Fertility Programs in Canada
Tabled Document 447-20(1): Locksmiths, Security Guards and Other Security Occupations Act (NWT, 1991)
Statements

Question 935-20(1): Fine Option Programs and Community Justice Committees

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, fine option programs are crucial components of the justice system that allow different ways of people who run afoul of the law to repay their debts to society in a way that doesn't involve jail time or setting them up for failure. In recent travels on the Trespass Act, I became aware that there are some concerns in communities around the accessibility of these programs. So can the Minister of Justice tell me are fine option programs and community justice committees, or their equivalent, available in all NWT communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fine option/community justice programs are available. And I can't stand up here and say that it's everybody community. I believe it's a large number of the communities and certainly something that we've been working very closely with local Indigenous governments to help to administer those programs within those communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we need community justice committees for these programs. So can the Minister just clarify if there are community justice committees in all NWT communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that option is available to all communities in the Northwest Territories. Right now, I'm happy to come back and provide the information to the Member if every community has taken up the opportunity to participate in that program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Final supplementary. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you. I welcome that information, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is about access to justice and ensuring there's a level playing field for everybody, especially people we are trying to rehabilitate and return as productive members of society.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that there are other ways to do this. There are ways to make this process an online portal where everyone in the Northwest Territories could access it. Is the Minister willing to look at expanding this, having a one-stop shop, modernizing the approach, because apparently there's ways to do it and do it for free. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, happy to take that away and have some conversations with the staff at the Department of Justice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.