Member Inuvik Boot Lake

Denny Rodgers was elected to the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly to represent the constituency of Inuvik Boot Lake. 

Mr. Rodger’s was born on August 4, 1968, in Come by Chance, Newfoundland. Mr. Rodger’s has been a cornerstone of Inuvik since 1994. With eight years on the Inuvik Town Council and three as Mayor, his commitment to community is unwavering.

Mr. Rodger’s academic foundation from Eastern College covers Business, Banking, Marketing, and Financial Accounting. His professional journey spans diverse roles, including three years at the Town of Inuvik, twelve years with Inuvialuit Development Corporation, ten years at the Inuvik Housing Authority, and two self-employed years.

Beyond his civic and professional pursuits, Mr. Rodger finds joy in family life, with wife Joanne and three children. His summers involve boating and golf, while winter sees him on snowmobiles and curling rinks. Traveling, a passion whenever time allows complements his busy schedule.

Over the last three decades, Mr. Rodger’s has actively engaged in philanthropic pursuits. He has served as the Chair of the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission Governance Board, helmed the Business Development and Investment Corporation, and assumed the role of Public Administrator for Aurora College. His dedication extends to various organizations, including minor hockey, Children’s First, curling, softball, and Arctic Expo. Through these diverse commitments, he consistently demonstrates a profound commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those around him.

Inuvik Boot Lake Electoral District

Committees

Denny Rodgers
Inuvik Boot Lake
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Constituency Office

84 Mackenzie Rd
Inuvik NT X0E0T0
Canada

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Yes, and I appreciate that. And I appreciate it's different in every region. I appreciate some areas have settled land claims, some don't. Allocations have been made and some -- most in some areas, and some areas they haven't. So I know there are other complications but certainly happy to hear that they're working towards it. And, again, for the larger municipalities, to me it seems there should be a much easier process to at least get that portion done and focused then on the smaller ones as well. But no further -- no question there, Madam Chair, no further comments on the section. Thank you...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you for that. Yeah, I mean, obviously it's difficult. Land is -- you know, in the smaller communities, and specifically in the coastal communities, you know, there's not a lot of lots there, and as we're aware of, the Indigenous governments, certainly in my region, have received a significant amount of funding to put housing in these communities, as well as the larger centres of course, but in the smaller communities as well. So it's so important that they get as streamlined as possible working with the department to ensure that they can get -- acquire some of that land that obviously is...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you. Yeah, and I appreciate that, and I know the department does follow the business incentive policy; however, the business has to be here and be able to do this kind of work in order for them to qualify for that and if we don't have that expertise in our territory, obviously are we going outside to get it, and if we are, how much of that money we're spending outside. So I appreciate the Minister's response and look forward to getting that update at a later date. Other than that, Madam Chair, I have no further questions in this section. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you. And the total $8.3 million climate change accumulative impacts and knowledge, is that also, then, the entire budget is GNWT funding?

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 275-20(1), 2025-2026 Main Estimates, the Department of Environment and Climate Change. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, we must commit to respecting the IFA, certainly in the Inuvialuit settlement area, and our obligations under this implementation. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister speak to any specific legislation that would have to be changed to make this happen? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in June 2023, the Member from Inuvik Twin Lakes provided a Member's statement which was following up on a motion she brought forward to the House in relation to Indigenous peoples having cabins for rights-based purposes and how they should be exempt from lease payments for those rates-based camps and cabins, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, in the NWT Lands Act in section 19(d), it states: To set apart and appropriate such areas or territorial lands as may be necessary to enable the GNWT to fulfill its obligations under land claim agreements in the Northwest...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move the chair rise and report progress.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Yeah, and, you know, even the larger ones. And the challenge, obviously, in the larger ones may not be as much the cost. Again, if we could do this as a -- if you look at doing it as a bulk transfer rather than look at having to take specific portions and survey it out or section it out. I mean, again, you can easily identify what is in the municipal boundaries and can be done. It can be done as one massive survey. And I think if the department would at least commit to looking at that option, and maybe providing some assistance to the municipalities to kind of help them -- help them along to...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, and I'm assuming I can -- this is the proper activity to bring this up in. My questions are around some transfer of lands in the -- specifically for this one in the Inuvialuit settlement region.

I note that in the information items there is obviously the land claim implementation funding of $5.4 million, and I'm wondering if as part of that, you know, what the department is doing to make it less difficult, I guess, for Indigenous organizations, specifically in the Inuvialuit settlement region, for IRC to access lots in the communities that they can then use...