Debates of March 3, 2026 (day 87)

March
3
2026
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
87
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Mr. Edjericon, 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 46: Prevention of Proceedings that Hamper Expression on Matters of Public Interest Act
Committee Report 37-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act, Carried Received and Referred to COW
Committee Report 38-20(1): Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report on the Review of the 2024-2025 Public Accounts, Carried, Deemed Read, Received and Adopted, Response from Government Requested
Member's Statement 950-20(1): Training Standards for Northwest Territories Security Guards
Member's Statement 951-20(1): Rent Control Measures and the Residential Tenancies Act
Member's Statement 952-20(1): Arctic Winter Games Tryout Location
Member's Statement 953-20(1): Indigenous Employment Policy
Member's Statement 954-20(1): Diabetic Footcare
Member's Statement 955-20(1): Legislative Pace
Member's Statement 956-20(1): Liquified Natural Gas
Member's Statement 958-20(1): Establishment of Distinct Tlicho Administrative Region
Member's Statement 959-20(1): Work of the Electoral Boundaries Commission
Member's Statement 960-20(1): Fort Simpson New year's Eve Celebration
Minister's Statement 190-20(1): Update on Implementation of the Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Framework Action Plan
Minister's Statement 191-20(1): Progress Update on Public Administrator Workplan
Minister's Statement 192-20(1): Northwest Territories Association of Communities Annual General Meeting
Minister's Statement 193-20(1): Ministers Absent from the House
Motion 70-20(1): Referral of Tabled Document 483-20(1): 2025-26 Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report
Motion 71-20(1): Referral of Tabled Document 445-20(1): 2025 Review of Members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly Compensation and Benefits Report
Motion 72-20(1): Protection of Transboundary Waters and Rights of Northerners
Motion 73-20(1): Strengthening the Government of the Northwest Territories' Medical Travel Policy
Motion 74-20(1): Transfer of Housing Northwest Territories Market Rental Units to Tenants
Motion 75-20(1): Waiving of Rent for Elders in Public Housing
Question 1135-20(1): Abandoned Vehicles
Question 1136-20(1): Training Standards for Northwest Territories Security Guards
Question 1137-20(1): Ineligible Hiring Lists in the Public Service
Question 1138-20(1): Stanton Territorial Hospital Emergency Room Security
Question 1139-20(1): Landlord Obligations under Section 30 of the Residential Tenancies Act
Question 1140-20(1): Diabetes-related Foot Disease
Question 1141-20(1): Location of Arctic Winter Games Trials
Question 1142-20(1): Private Security Contractors
Question 1143-20(1): Liquefied Natural Gas Development
Question 1144-20(1): Establishment of Tlicho Administrative Region
Question 1145-20(1): Review of Intergovernmental Agreement on Lands and Resources Management
Question 1146-20(1): Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report
Question 1147-20(1): Private Security Contractor Regulations
Question 1148-20(1): Policy Basis for Establishments of Administrative Regions
Question 1149-20(1): Healthcare Reform
Question 1150-20(1): Review of Intergovernmental Agreement on Lands and Resources Management
Question 1151-20(1): Referrals
Question 1152-20(1): Locums
Statements

Question 1139-20(1): Landlord Obligations under Section 30 of the Residential Tenancies Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In their 2024-2025 annual Report, the rental officer stated that only two successful rental applications for lack of maintenance and repair to the premises made it through. In their words, the rental office continues to receive many inquiries from tenants regarding landlords' obligations under section 30 of the Act, although very few tenants follow through with making an application. I would like to know from the Minister of Justice if section 30 of the Residential Tenancies Act is planned to have a fulsome review and recommendations from the Department of Justice expected this year. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, concerns with section 30 of the RTA will be noted in the review that is currently being undertaken. It's important to note that as part of this review we're identifying the areas of concern, and we will intend to take those forward and have recommendations that come out of a future review in the 21st Assembly that will allow a fulsome improvement to the legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I just want to clarify if I heard the Minister correctly. Can he explain if further policy work and legislative amendments will contemplate less onerous practices for tenant-landlord disputes over safety and repair of units and rental complexes? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I would say yes to that, Mr. Speaker. There will be an in-depth policy analysis and an engagement with the stakeholders will occur as we look at the potential amendments to the RTA in the 21st Assembly. And I will say, you know, this is something that we need to do it right, so we want to ensure that we're taking the time to do the pre-work so that when we go on to that level of work we're doing it right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Final supplementary. Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand that rental caps and rental control might not be the best solution for the NWT, but can the Minister explain what, if any, policy or legislative review has been done or is contemplated so as to reduce the likelihood of sudden rental price spikes, rent evictions, or other gentrification efforts in privately held rental stock? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these issues have certainly been flagged for the review, and we'll receive an in-depth policy analysis from the department as we are determining what proposed amendments will come forth to the RTA. There'll be significant engagement in this process as well with the public, the partners, and all of the stakeholders to ensure, once again, that we get this right as we go through this process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Oral questions. Member from the Dehcho.