Debates of March 5, 2026 (day 89)

March

2026

Session

20th Assembly, 1st Session

Day

Speaker

Shane Thompson

Word PDF

Members Present

Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay MacDonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, 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

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Sheryl Yakeleya

Dehcho

Topics

Bill 45: Civil Forfeiture Act, Carried

Bill 46: Prevention of Proceedings that Hamper Expressions of Matters of Public Interest Act, Deemed Read

Bill 47: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2026 2027, Carried

Bill 47: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 20262027, Carried

Bill 47: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 20262027, Deemed Read

Committee Motion 159-20(1): Committee Report 37-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act - Application of Trespass to Property Act in Schools, Carried

Committee Motion 160-20(1): Committee Report 37-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act - Ticketable Offences for Trespassing, Carried

Committee Motion 161-20(1): Committee Report 37-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act - Statistics on Prosecution for Trespassing Carried

Committee Motion 162-20(1): Committee Report 37-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act - Legislation to Regulate Private Security Companies, Carried

Committee Motion 163-20(1): Committee Report 37-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act - Policy Guidance on Use of Trespass to Property Act, Carried

Committee Motion 164-20(1): Committee Report 37-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act - Government Response, Carried

Member's Statement 973-02(1): College Nordique

Member's Statement 974-20(1): Celebrating Hailey Rodgers' 33rd Birthday

Member's Statement 975-20(1): Colville Lake Modular School Building

Member's Statement 976-20(1): Indigenous-Led Mining Economy

Member's Statement 977-20(1): Healthcare Workforce Plan

Member's Statement 978-20(1): Legislation Development

Member's Statement 979-20(1): Northwest Territories Alcohol Strategy

Member's Statement 980-20(1): No fault Insurance

Member's Statement 981-20(1): Northwest Territories Association of Communities Annual General Meeting Awards

Member's Statement 982-20(1): Celebration of Life for Kevin Nitsiza Jr.

Minister's Statement 197-20(1): Repairs to Social Housing Units

Minister's Statement 198-20(1): Northwest Territories Power Corporation's New Hybrid Board and Future Opportunities

Motion 70-20(1): Referral of Tabled Document 483-20(1): 2025-26 Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report, Carried

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 Carried

Motion 72-20(1): Protection of Transboundary Waters and Rights of Northerners, Carried

Motion 73-20(1): Strengthening the Government of the Northwest Territories' Medical Travel Policy, Carried

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, Carried

Question 1169-20(1): No Fault Insurance

Question 1170-20(1): No Fault Insurance

Question 1171-20(1): New Colville Lake School

Question 1172-20(1): Northwest Territories Alcohol Strategy

Question 1173-20(1): Capacity to Move Legislation

Question 1174-20(1): Extended Health Benefits Program

Question 1175-20(1): Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Spending

Question 1176-20(1): Dental Review Officer

Question 1177-20(1): Inclusive Education Review

Question 1178-20(1): Dental Review Officer Contract

Question 1179-20(1): Inclusive Education Review

Question 1180-20(1): Promoting Population Growth

Question 1181-20(1): Land Tenure Applications

Question 1182-20(1): Naming of the 50th Street 50-Plex

Recorded Vote

Tabled Document 490-20(1): Trespass Legislation What We Heard Report

Tabled Document 491-20(1): Annual Report for the Education Bodies of the Northwest Territories for the 2024-2025 School Year

Tabled Document 492-20(1): Inter-activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 (April 1 to December 31, 2025)

Tabled Document 493-20(1): CBC News Article Titled "Yellowknife Family Calls for Changes to Medical Travel Policy After Troubling Experience"

Statements

Bill 45: Civil Forfeiture Act, Carried

Jay Macdonald

Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member of Hay River North, that Bill 45, Civil Forfeiture Act, be read for the second time.

The proposed Civil Forfeiture Act will provide the GNWT with a way to disrupt the flow of money from criminal activity that is distinct from criminal prosecutions. The proposed bill will authorize the GNWT to pursue civil forfeiture of property obtained by or used in unlawful activity. This ensures that people engaged in unlawful activity do not profit from crime and reduces the likelihood they will engage in further criminal behaviour.

The proposed bill lays out the procedural and evidentiary rules that will apply to civil forfeitures. The proposed bill also sets out rules for managing seized property and for how forfeited funds can be used. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Question.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion is carried. Bill 45 has been read a second time and is referred to the standing committee of the Assembly for further consideration.

---Carried

Second reading of bills. Minister of Finance.