Shane Thompson

Member Nahendeh

Speaker

Shane Thompson was re-elected to the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly after serving in the 18th and 19th Assemblies representing the constituency of Nahendeh. Mr. Thompson is the Honorable Speaker of the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Thompson was first elected to the 18th Assembly in November 2015 and served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Development. Mr. Thompson was also a member of the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning, the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, and the Striking Committee.

Mr. Thompson was born on July 11, 1963, in Hay River. He has lived in Kugluktuk (Coppermine), Inuvik, Hay River, and in Edmonton, while at the University of Alberta. Fort Simpson has been his home since 1992.

Mr. Thompson previously served two terms (three years each) as an elected official with the Fort Simpson District Education Authority, spending the last four years as the chairperson. Over the past 35 years, he has served on various community and territorial boards.

Mr. Thompson was employed as the Senior Sport and Recreation Coordinator with Municipal and Community Affairs (GNWT) in the Deh Cho region before being elected as a Member.

Mr. Thompson completed the Community Recreation Leaders Program at Arctic College in 1989 and is currently working on a Masters Certificate on Evaluation at the University of Victoria and Carleton University. He also completed three years towards an Education degree at the University of Alberta.

Mr. Thompson is an active volunteer with Northern Youth Aboard, CBET and Fundamental Movement, and HIGH FIVE®. As well, he is a past member of the Sport North Federation Board, NWT Softball and of NWTRPA, and the past president of Seven Spruce Golf Course.

Mr. Thompson is the father of seven children - five daughters and two sons – and has nine grandchildren.

He has been a Justice of the Peace since 1991.

Nahendeh Electoral District

Committees

Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Phone
Extension
12005
Constituency Office

9706-100th Street
Fort Simpson NT X0E 0N0
Canada

Phone

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 90)

Please be seated. I'd like to thank Jonas Lafferty for the opening prayer.

Colleagues, before we start, I am going to do my ruling today. It's been a very challenging thing to look at this ruling and I had to do a lot of work across Canada to come up with this decision.

Colleagues, I am prepared to deliver my ruling on the point of order raised by the Member for Thebacha on February 27th. I want to start by stating that this is a lengthy ruling. Following my ruling, I will be sending the question of Private Member's bills to the committee on procedures and privileges for further study.

First...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 90)

Colleagues, today, I want to celebrate the incredible journey of athletes from the Nahendeh riding as they prepare to represent our community, region and territories at the Arctic Winter Games. This event is more than an international competition - it is a celebration of who we are as Northerners: strong, resilient, and proud of where we come from.

For athletes from outside the big centres, the games offer not only the thrill of sport but the opportunity to represent our community, region, and territory on a truly global stage.

Each athlete standing before us carries a story of dedication and...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 89)

Colleagues, this past weekend I had the opportunity to attend parts of the 60th Annual General Meeting of the NWT Association of Communities, including the awards banquet. I had the pleasure of witnessing an exciting milestone for the Northwest Territories, the first ever presentation of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs' Community Excellence Award. This new award honours NWT communities that demonstrate excellence in areas aligned with MACA's mandate to support capable, accountable, and self-directed community governments that foster safe, sustainable, and healthy environments...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 88)

Colleagues, today it gives me great pleasure to do this Member's statement. Improving access to health and social services is a priority of this Assembly, and it matters to the health and well-being of people across the Northwest Territories.

In the Nahendeh riding, people have faced real challenges getting the care they needed. This region has more health cabins than any other region in the NWT. That means residents of Nahendeh often face bigger barriers to primary care simply because of where they live. These health cabins are supported by community health workers, dedicated local people who...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 87)

Colleagues, today, I realize that I am doing it a little bit late but I am recognizing a tremendous community effort behind the first annual New Year's Eve celebration in Fort Simpson, a truly heartwarming example of what happens when residents come together to create joy and connect for families. This initiative began in mid-October where a group of local mothers met to discuss ways to bring happiness to their children during the holiday season. Their first project was Pumpkin Lane, which gathered over a hundred pumpkins for a family carving night hosted by the Open Doors Society with...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 86)

Colleagues, I would like to share with you some very exciting news about housing in the community of Nahanni Butte.

The Nahanni Butte Dene band merits profound recognition for delivering 17 new housing units from 2023 to 2025, directly uplifting 17 families in this isolated northern community. This year marks further progress:

One new transitional/short-term accommodation unit;

Three additional rooms expanding the general store's capacity in 2024; and,

A completed staff housing project.

Over four years, the band addressed minor and major repairs across 14 existing homes, with ambitious renovation...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 85)

Colleagues, today I have the pleasure of recognizing an exceptional young leader from Fort Simpson, Ms. Ava Erasmus, who was awarded the 2025 NWT Youth Volunteer Award today. Ava grew up in our community, participating in the very programs she now helps to deliver. As a child she was involved in speed skating, track and field, and cadets, building the skills, discipline, and community spirit that continueS to guide her today. What makes this award so meaningful is that Ava has chosen to come back from university to give back to the youth of Fort Simpson and the Northwest Territories, and to...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 84)

I'd like to thank the two elders for the opening prayer. Colleagues, before we begin, I would like to take a moment to thank the grade 6 students from Ecole William McDonald Middle School who are visiting us and are in the gallery this afternoon. Please join me in thanking these students for being here today.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 83)

Today, I am honoured to celebrate the remarkable life of Christine Holman, a woman whose presence touched every life she encountered with warmth, wisdom, and grace. Christine lived fully and loved deeply, leaving a legacy not only in the memories she created but also in the kindness she shared so freely with others.

Born with a generous spirit and boundless curiosity, Christine approached life with a quiet but steady strength. She found joy in simple moments - a morning cup of coffee, a walk through the community, or a conversation that lingered long after the day ended. Her laughter had a way...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 83)

Please be seated. Thank you, Lillian Elias, for the opening reflections or prayers. Member from Kam Lake.