Debates of March 5, 2026 (day 89)

March
5
2026
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
89
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
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

Question 1177-20(1): Inclusive Education Review

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The inclusive schooling review seems to be a very important piece of policy for this government. When will Members on this side of the House be able to review that document? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Range Lake. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take time in the Members' upcoming committee week, which would be in April, to sit and be able to go through that with them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Okay, so that's good. Because I was surprised to hear yesterday in the closing remarks for the main estimates that because of the advocacy of Members $30 million is going to be spent to meet the needs identified through the inclusive schooling review. How were Regular Members able to advocate to meet the needs when we haven't even read the review? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the negotiations for budgets happen between AOC and the finance Minister, so how that number was received at, I -- you know, I can speak to what I would like to see that go to, but there isn't anything -- and I don't even -- I am going to be honest, Mr. Speaker, I don't know what I can talk about right now as far as budget negotiations, so I am going to stop talking. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Watch the line, people. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will note that this is a promised supplementary appropriation that is yet to appear. It is not before the House. Mr. Speaker, was the department intending or planning to bring forward $30 million to meet the needs of the inclusive education review before the budget negotiations began? That's something that is in the Minister's purview. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, the way that budgeting works in the House is that normally I have to first be able to substantiate an ask. I believe that the inclusive schooling ask is going to be greater than what is currently being referenced by the finance Minister in her speech and the number referenced by the Member. Those are numbers that I would bring forward to the financial management board and bring them forward with substantiation where the financial management board would then be able to vote on that proposal, and then that would come forward either through the regular business planning and budgeting process. So that is something that would then fall before Cabinet normally in the summertime. It would then end up in the main estimates for next year.

So am I happy to see this dollar figure in negotiations? Absolutely. I think that it allows us to react more swiftly and to be able to ensure that we are approaching the needs of students in a phased approach, which is something that I look forward to being able to discuss more at length with Members when I come back during their committee week. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.