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 1143-20(1): Liquefied Natural Gas Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my Member's statement today regarding our strategic energy plan, I have a question for the Premier.

If I can get an update on the re-engagement with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation on the M18 project and specifically around LNG and if there's been any conversations around how we can work together to move the development and export of LNG out of the Beaufort Delta. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past number of years, those discussions have largely been confined to the -- at the officials' level, but recently we have started having conversations at the elected officials level about LNG and the Inuvialuit's -- how we can work together to advance projects that the Inuvialuit might want to see, how we can work together to attract investors and industry if that's the desire. And so we are starting those conversations now. We had representatives from IRC here last week, and I raised this subject because it is of great interest to myself as well as, of course, the Member, and I think everyone in the territory should be interested in this because it is such a massive opportunity for the people of the Beaufort Delta and the people of the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for that. And, yes, indeed, it is a massive opportunity. I know the Premier has spoken previously, and we have talked about in this House the potential for working groups. I wonder, as part of the strategic energy plans, specifically again to the Beaufort Delta region, is there any interest in -- while working with the strategic energy plan, in forming a working group that may include MLA participation as well, regular MLA participation, and how we can further this development, including reaching out to industry. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have that level of detail, and I have to admit this is more in the Minister of ITI's realm. That being said, if the Member would like, I would be happy to invite him to sit down with officials and have a discussion so we can get some in-depth background information and, you know, provide his comments on what he would like to see going forward. I'd be happy to do that because I know how interested the Member is, and I am sure he'd provide some valuable insight. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.