Debates of February 12, 2026 (day 79)

February
12
2026
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
79
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay MacDonald, Hon. Vince McKay, 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, Mrs. Yakeleya
Assembly Members
Topics
Member's Statement 869-20(1): ???
Member's Statement 870-20(1): Town Hall on Crime and Public Safety
Member's Statement 871-20(1): Town Hall on Crime and Public Safety
Member's Statement 872-20(1): Elders Housing and Health Supports
Member's Statement 873-20(1): Support for 2SLGBTQIA+ Community
Member's Statement 874-20(1): Land Transfer
Minister's Statement 178-20(1): Northwest Territories Barren-Ground Caribou Updates
Minister's Statement 875-20(1): Impacts of Drug Use and Crime
Minister's Statement 876-20(1): Magnetic Resonance Imaging Machines
Minister's Statement 878-20(1): Fort Simpson District Education Authority
Question 1009-20(1): Crime and Public Safety
Question 1010-20(1): Crime and Public Safety
Question 1011-20(1): Healthcare and Supports for Elders in Small Communities
Question 1012-20(1): Access to Magnetic Resonance Imaging Services
Question 1013-20(1): Child and Family Services Collaboration with Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Question 1014-20(1): Municipal Land Transfers
Question 1015-20(1): Biomass Energy
Question 1016-20(1): Crime and Public Safety
Question 1017-20(1): Biomass Energy and Forest Management
Question 1018-20(1): Aspen Apartments Project Update
Question 1019-20(1): Building Standards Framework
Question 1020-20(1): Royal Canadian Mounted Police Special Constables
Question 1021-20(1): Energy Security and Reliability
Question 1022-20(1): Royal Canadian Mounted Police Crime Reduction Unit
Statements

Question 1020-20(1): Royal Canadian Mounted Police Special Constables

Mr. Speaker, in speaking to the chief superintendent about one of the things that could help the Northwest Territories policing division, and not just in Yellowknife, although that's important to me, but all the territory at large, would be special constables. Now, we currently have at least one that I am aware of. Mr. Speaker, what is this government doing to support that need and request by RCMP of getting more special constables into our communities? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the request for resources from the department come through a process -- from the RCMP come through a process to the department. Those requests are evaluated and put forward as an ask. And so that specific item, I am not -- don't currently have information on any requests that may be outstanding but happy to get that information for the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will talk that offer. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister aware of the type of community policing that special constables provide outside of the regular standard RCMP officer. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not up to speed on the job description of a special constable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In brief, they provide community policing almost identical to RCMP but they are a better -- a more direct resource from the community. So, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to meet with the RCMP directly, including with colleagues like myself and Mr. Testart, to talk more about how we can support this initiative in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I've told the commander of the RCMP that my door is always open. He's welcome to reach out to me at any time, and I am happy to discuss any matter that is of importance to him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.