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

Question 895-20(1): Strategic Planning and Economic Analysis

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and apologies for earlier.

Mr. Speaker, in June 2024, I spoke to and tabled the Greenland Economic Council report as an example of how economic analysis could be incorporated into strategy. Has the department considered how it could better incorporate such analysis into our new upcoming investment strategy? The question is for the Minister of ECE. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we had a great conversation earlier this week, the Member and I, on how we incorporate some of that data. So we do incorporate data into the work that we do. We incorporate it into strategies like our film strategy, our fish strategy, into our art strategies. So that's work that we continue to do in all of our planning, in all of our programs that we do at the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, and work that we will continue to do.

Mr. Speaker, I'm more than happy to continue having conversations about how we can incorporate more of this work, more of this data, into work done by not just industry, tourism and investment, but also the government as a whole. I'm very happy to continue working with other Ministers on that as well, with the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister's point yesterday that we don't want to waste time strategizing and focus on doing. So how does she suggest we communicate our economic plans effectively and ensure they are effective at addressing our challenges? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, while I said to the Member that we don't want to do strategies left, right and center, and make new door props for departments to use, that we want to make sure that we're using our public servants effectively and efficiently, we still do have programs, and we still do have metrics in our programs. So continuing to use our data that we do have is incredibly important.

Mr. Speaker, I'd also say that it's really important that we are very clear in our communication that we have accessible messaging as a government in all of our economic initiatives that we're doing and that our outcomes are things that matter to the people that we all individually and collectively serve.

I would say that some of this is very clear under the direction of the Premier with our federal engagement approach that we have adopted this term, and we've been very effective at communicating how life is different in the territory with the federal government, and those are some of the approaches that we will continue to employ as a team. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Final supplementary. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, I do note that in the Budget Dialogues document, again it came up that a cohesive economic vision is something that we're missing in the NWT, and so stakeholders were saying we need to establish something. So I do encourage us to put that vision forward.

Mr. Speaker, does the Minister feel that this kind of high-level economic analysis and planning belong just in plans created by ITI, or should we be taking a wider approach perhaps attaching this kind of analysis and planning to the government mandate or having finance report on it alongside our economic review? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, government-wide, we have adopted a macroeconomic policy that we use in all the work that we do, not only across government but also in the Financial Management Board. That said, Mr. Speaker, we also do have -- you want me to keep going? Okay.

Mr. Speaker, we also do have our budget address, which our Minister of Finance delivers every year, that also includes an economic outlook, and I would be more than happy to work with the Member to make sure that we're capturing some of this and some of the other reporting mechanisms that the Member is pointing to, and working in conjunction with my colleague, the Minister of Finance, to make sure that we have robust reporting that we're doing every year. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister for Education, Culture and Employment. Sorry for my distraction. Colleagues, I'm just going to stop the clock for a sec and going to recognition of visitors in the gallery, and I am going to turn to the Member from Hay River South.