Debates of December 8, 2023 (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I begin, I wish to acknowledge you as our incoming Speaker. And I also wish to take the opportunity to acknowledge the Premier and the incoming Cabinet. We have a lot of hopes and ambition for the 20th Assembly. I believe our trust is well placed, and I look forward to seeing how it rolls out. That said, I did want it officially on the record, Mr. Speaker, that no one could ever say I didn't say anything nice about this new Cabinet and leadership, so I truly do deeply wish them well.

Mr. Speaker, my comments will be today specifically about addictions and aftercare. The North is unfairly and disproportionately plagued with addictions, be it alcohol or drug problems. It has plagued our families. It's taking the souls of our loved ones. You know, some may say they're lost, frankly. We know where they are and many of them are in the ditches of emotion. They're trapped in these cycles and terribly in these spins of destruction. We must find a way to help and support them.

There's been numerous calls about addiction treatment programs. I have been one of those echos for years. I believe that we need to move forward.

We've heard countless calls from regions wanting to see regional programs in our communities. Indigenous governments want us to support them on these regional programs. And whether the treatment programs are on the land programs, we must do what we've been called to do, which is to help save and serve our people.

Mr. Speaker, we must not give up. And frankly, I will not give up on this issue until we find some more action.

Now, someone will always say we don't have any money for that and that may be a fact. But we should be finding money because we need to be making smarter choices. I'm prepared to give up one kilometre of highway or two kilometres of highway, or whatever it takes, to make a better choice by saving people and making sure they're healthy. But if we don't have the addictions aftercare, some of it, not all of it, is for not. And to me, it would be a misstep to go halfway. We need to follow through on the full process by helping people by providing an opportunity. Again, programs and aftercare, whether it's on the land or certainly the right support system so we can complete the package.

And lastly, Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the constituents of Yellowknife Centre. I wish to thank my wife, her wise counsel constantly, my children, and all the people, including my new family here in the Assembly. I have no doubt that we will be working hard and well for each of us and our communities and our regions for the betterment of people of the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also want to take a moment to thank my constituents and the people of Hay River. You know, we've had a tough few years in Hay River. It's almost surreal when you think about what has happened. And, you know, even though I'm in a new role now, I want my constituents to know that I will continue to work to address the issues that we're facing now and to prepare so that we don't have to face those issues again in the future. So that work will continue, and that's my commitment, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank my family for the support they've given me. And I want to thank everyone's family here actually. I don't think people realize the toll it takes on a family when you run for office and when you're in office, and so they carry a lot of that weight and I think they deserve that deserves to be acknowledged.

I also want to congratulate all of the Members elected to the Executive Council and all the new Members, all of the reelected Members. You know, this is quite an adventure that we're all embarking on, and I know we're all looking forward to it.

And, finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you for stepping up and putting your name forward. This role is so important; the role of the Speaker is so important. I've already seen changes that you've implemented, and we're only a few minutes into our first sitting here. And after working with you for the last four years, I know your values and I know your work ethic. I know that the House is in good hands, and I appreciate that. So thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my good friend and previous director of Cabinet communications, Mr. Shaun Dean. Thank you for being here today.

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too wish to acknowledge a constituent, Mr. Shaun Dean. Thank you to the Member for Great Slave for acknowledging him as well. Many people know, and some do not know, he has served many an Assembly quite loyally for many years. I wouldn't quite go generations, but I would certainly say he's been an important fixture of the Assembly, and that should never go unacknowledged, his hard work and dedication. And he recently retired only a couple years ago. Frankly, I never thought he would retire. But that said, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Mr. Dean.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. The Member from Yellowknife South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge my parents. Ed and Bev Wawzonek are in the gallery here today to actually watch what the Assembly looks like. Thank you for coming.

And, Mr. Speaker, I have one more acknowledgement. I don't see my young page in the room right now, but I know he's around. Ben Mager is a resident of Yellowknife South. We are always very grateful to have the pages here with us. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife South. Member from Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Helena Kads, a constituent from Thebacha. Helena was the initiator of a petition that lodged calling for the independent public inquiry into the Hay River, Kakisa, and Enterprise wildfires and evacuation and how they were managed. So welcome, Helena.

Thank you, Member from Thebacha. Member from Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize a couple residents of my riding and former Member for Hay River South, Rocky Simpson and his wife Bette Lyons.

Thank you, Member from Hay River South. Member from Kam Lake.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge a page that we have working here with us today as well. We have Kam Lake resident Leah Yakeleya Kosloski here with us today. And thank you to the pages who have joined us.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Member from Tu NedheWiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Rocky Sr. and his wife Bette Lyons. And also want to recognize William Greenland. He's also in the healing and trauma field. I want to say welcome. Mahsi.

Thank you, Member from Tu NedheWiilideh. The Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize three pages that are Yellowknife North constituents that are here today. We have Kia Wickens from Sir John Franklin High School, Liam Kincaid from St. Pat's High School, and Zachary Mandeville from St. Pat's High School. Thanks for your work.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Everyone else in the gallery with us here today, thank you for joining us. It is our pleasure to have visitors on our first day of session. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table correspondence dated December 5th, 2023, and a sample resolution from the Yellowknife Citizens for a Ceasefire to the Members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Quite all right. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a presentation by the Yellowknife Citizens for a Ceasefire to Yellowknife City Council. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the Member for Hay River North, the Honourable R.J. Simpson, is hereby chosen to be Premier of the Northwest Territories.

And, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Range Lake. Notices of motions. Member from Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Frame Lake, that this Assembly recommend to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that the following Members be appointed to the Executive Council:

Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;

Mr. Vince Mckay, the Member for Hay River South;

Ms. Lesa Semmler, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes;

Ms. Caitlin Cleveland, the Member for Kam Lake;

Mrs. Lucy Kuptana, the Member for Nunakput;

Mr. Jay MacDonald, the Member for Thebacha; and

Ms. Caroline Wawzonek, the Member for Yellowknife South.

And, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for the Deh Cho. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight:

Mrs. Sheryl Yakeleya, the Member for Deh Cho;

Mr. Julian Morse, the Member for Frame Lake;

Ms. Kate Reid, the Member for Great Slave;

Mr. Denny Rodgers, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake;

Mr. George Nerysoo, the Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Mrs. Jane Weyallon Armstrong, the Member for Monfwi;

Mr. Kieron Testart, the Member for Range Lake;

Mr. Danny McNeely, the Member for Sahtu;

Mr. Richard Edjericon, the Member for Tu NedheWiilideh;

Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre; and

Ms. Shauna Morgan, the Member for Yellowknife North.

And, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Notices of motions. Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that the following Members be appointed to the Board of Management of this Assembly:

The Honourable Shane Thompson, Member for Nahendeh;

Mr. Richard Edjericon, Member for Tu NedheWiilideh;

Mr. Robert Hawkins, Member for Yellowknife Centre; and

The Honourable Caitlin Cleveland, Member for Kam Lake.

And further, that the following Members be appointed to the Board of Management as alternate Members:

Ms. Kate Reid, Member for Great Slave;

Ms. Yakeleya, Member for Deh Cho;

The Honourable Jay MacDonald, Member for Thebacha; and

The Honourable Vince Mckay, Member for Hay River South.

And, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Notices of motions. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, I will move the following motion:

I move, second by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on December 8th, 2023 it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, February 6th, 2024.

And further, at any time prior to February 6th, 2024, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the stated time and such notice and it shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to at that time.

And, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be speaking unanimous consent to deal with the motion today.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice to earlier today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Colleagues, the Member from Range Lake is seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Are there any nays? There are no nays, you may deal with this motion today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the Member for Hay River North, the Honourable R.J. Simpson, is hereby chosen to be Premier of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. To the motion.