Debates of February 28, 2024 (day 12)

February
28
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
12
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, Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Yakeleya
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 3: Carbon Tax Repeal Act, Carried
Bill 6: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 20232024
Bill 6: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 20232024, Carried
Member’s Statement 131-20(1): Water Regulations and Red Tape Reduction
Member’s Statement 132-20(1): On-the-Land Education
Member’s Statement 133-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Cultural Safety Policies
Member’s Statement 134-20(1): Northwest Territories Economic Future
Member’s Statement 135-20(1): Akaitcho Agreement in Principle Negotiations
Member’s Statement 136-20(1): Addictions and Healing in Small Communities
Member’s Statement 137-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Indigenous Employees
Member’s Statement 138-20(1): Pink Shirt Day
Member’s Statement 139-20(1): K’atlodeeche First Nation 42nd Annual K’amba Carnival
Member’s Statement 140-20(1): Northwest Territories Capital Investment and Labour Force Statistics
Member’s Statement 141-20(1): Pink Shirt Day
Member’s Statement 142-20(1): Eulogy for Vincent James Bertrand
Minister’s Statement 27-20(1): Marine Transportation Services
Minister’s Statement 28-20(1): Celebrating Francophonie in the Northwest Territories
Minister’s Statement 29-20(1): Environment and Climate Change’s Approach to Wildfire Management
Motion 20-20(1): Affirming Housing as a Human Right, Carried
Motion 21-20(1): Taking Action to Address Housing as a Human Right, Carried
Question 128-20(1): Changes to Waters Act Regulations
Question 129-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Cultural Safety Training
Question 130-20(1): Possible Department of National Defence Base in the Northwest Territories
Question 131-20(1): 2SLGBTQIPA+ Safety in Northwest Territories Schools
Question 132-20(1): Akaitcho Agreement in Principle Negotiations
Question 133-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Policy on Indigenous Hiring
Question 134-20(1): On-the-Land Education
Question 135-20(1): Gender Affirming Healthcare
Question 136-20(1): Student Financial Assistance
Question 137-20(1): Regional Director for Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs
Question 138-20(1): Implementation of British Columbia Curriculum in Northwest Territories Schools
Question 139-20(1): Supporting the Mining Industry with a North of 60 Tax Credit
Question 140-20(1): Support for Northwest Territories Volunteers
Question 141-20(1): Primary Healthcare Waitlist
Recorded Vote
Tabled Document 52-20(1): Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act 2023
Tabled Document 53-20(1): Package of Information regarding Policies on 2SLGBTQIPA+ Youth in the Northwest Territories
Tabled Document 54-20(1): Letter from Tlicho Government to Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley on Waters Regulations Interpretation
Tabled Document 56-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 3: Carbon Tax Repeal Act
Written Question 1-20(1): Carbon Tax Revenues and Rebates
Written Question 3-20(1): Extended Health Benefits Policy
Written Question 4-20(1): Privacy Agency Nurses
Written Question 5-20(1): Municipal Funding Gap
Statements

Question 140-20(1): Support for Northwest Territories Volunteers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for the opportunity to ask a second set of questions, colleagues.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs looks a little bored today, so I thought I'd  so I thought I'd ask him a question that springs out of the fantastic opportunity that we're celebrating here tomorrow, Mr. Speaker, the outstanding volunteer awards.

Does the Minister have any inklings or desire to create more opportunities to support our wonderful volunteers in this territory? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm always in support of volunteerism in the Northwest Territories. Having been a volunteer for 30 years on the fire department, I'm always committed to doing more for our volunteers within the communities. And I think one of them that I'm trying to fire back up for an example is our recognition for the firefighter program. It's been a little bit of a stalemate for a little bit but hopefully we'll get that thing going again, but  so, yes, I'm always looking for something to do to recognize our volunteers in the territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too have been a volunteer for many years before stepping into this House, and I'm sure the Minister knows as well, burnout is really real in our territory when it comes to volunteers. If you want to  you want to get something done, you ask someone who's doing eight other things, Mr. Speaker. So I'm wondering is there anything we can do for the wider volunteer just pool of folks who are out there and interested in things to support them, to get training perhaps on how to be on a board? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do believe that the school of community governments does have some programs for that. However, it's something that we can look into. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Member for Great Slave.

Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.