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 1147-20(1): Private Security Contractor Regulations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to now ask questions of the justice Minister.

So given that the regulation of private security firms in the NWT would require the establishment of a new regulator and the appropriation of government funds, so it would not be able to be accomplished through a Private Member's bill, can the justice Minister commit to begin the process through the Department of establishing legislation to regulate the private security profession in the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe I've said many times in this House that our approach to legislation in the 20th Assembly has been to take the priorities of this 20th Assembly and focus on those legislative initiatives that align with our priorities. Currently, there's no initiative being undertaken that directly relates to the issue that the Member is raising. If the 21st Assembly has this as one of their priorities, the Department of Justice would be happy to continue on the work in this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So has Justice done any analysis of potential liabilities or repercussions to the government of contracting unregulated private security firms to protect government-run operations? For example, if a resident or a client or a security guard was harmed on the job. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in our contracting guidelines, there are very common clauses within our contract documents that address those types of questions and considerations, and they will very depending on the situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you Minister of Justice. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So can the justice Minister confirm that the department's position is that the department is not liable or does not bear responsibility for the fact that we don't have regulation or standards for private security in the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cannot provide legal -- or advice or analysis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Oral questions. Member from Monfwi.