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

Member’s Statement 728-20(1): Income Support Programs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. According to NWT bureau of statistics, the employment rate in the NWT dropped from 66.3 percent in August to 65.2 percent in September. Based on a labour force activity report released on August 8th, 2025, the annual rate of employment in the NWT dropped 2.6 percent since July 2024.

Mr. Speaker, on the other hand Stats NWT states that the total cases of income support rose from 1,005 in May of 2025 to 1,097 in June, a difference of 92 more cases in one month. With this recent drop in employment, I can only assume that the rate of income support will rise.

Mr. Speaker, this is concerning to me because, as we all know in smaller communities, income support is often abused. Without proper criteria and productivity planned, it is easy for members of the community to get access to these funds and avoid working. This is often what keep bootleggers and drug dealers in business and contributes to the housing crisis.

Mr. Speaker, there needs to be more done about this process of income support because it teaches our community members that this money is free, and they don't have to work. It is a human right to have our basic needs met but there needs to be a standard set for people who are able to find work instead of depending on these funds to make a living. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.