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

Board of Management
Nahendeh
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
867-767-9141
Extension
11128
Constituency Office

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

Phone
867-695-3780

Statements in Debates

Question 441-19(2): Water Quality Monitoring
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

In our conducted water quality monitoring in the North and South Slave regions on the Slave, Hay, Liard, Peel, and Coppermine rivers this spring, the department did additional monitoring on the Slave River at Fort Smith due to the concerns about flooding in Fort McMurray. Results for the July monitoring of the Slave in Hay River have been released, and analysis of the August sampling is under way. The department has committed to make these findings available to the public through our website, and we will also provide it to standing committee as soon as they become available. So far, the...

Minister's Statement 84-19(2): 2020 Northwest Territories Environmental Audit
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have a strong and effective regulatory system in the Northwest Territories that relies on Indigenous, territorial, and federal governments working together to make wise decisions about the use of our land and water. This system is always evolving to serve the people of this territory better.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has a mandate to support the sustainable use of natural resources. Every five years, an independent auditor is appointed to conduct an environmental audit, as required under legislation and land claim agreements. The 2020...

Question 442-19(2): Land Use Management for the Ingram Trail and Yellowknife Area
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

As I mentioned, the department is engaging with Indigenous governments and organizations on a range of issues, including planning in and around Yellowknife. The Department of Lands also undertakes Section 35 consultation with IGOs and on all land distribution decisions, which will also include the process of completing a bulk land transfer of vacant public land to the City of Yellowknife. A technical review briefing has been offered to the MLA on related matters by EIA and Lands and may help answer these questions in their full context.

Question 442-19(2): Land Use Management for the Ingram Trail and Yellowknife Area
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you. I should just say no, but I won't this time. The department has prioritized the implementation of the Public Land Act. This is a major body of work that involves the development of multiple regulations to bring the Public Land Act into force in early 2022-2023, or earlier. This work is to be completed within existing resources and requires a dedicated team whose main focus will be on this important work. This is the important part that the Member has been asking for: yes, we will look at this. As we are working through this process, we will identify issues and challenges that we...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 43)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Deputy Minister Erin Kelly and Director of Finance and Capital Planning Jessica St. Arnaud.

Member's Statement on Eulogy for Isadore Sam Ekotla
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Isadore Sam Ekolta was born September 20, 1936, in Snake River, B.C., and passed away on July 10, 2020, at the age of 84. Isadore was preceded by his father, Charles Edward, his mother, Alice, his sons, Gordon (ph), Frederick (ph), Leonard (ph), Emile (ph), and his daughter Joan.

Sam was a very knowledgeable hunter and trapper that was well-respected in the community of Nahanni Butte. He was always able to provide good advice when asked. He had an open-door policy and was always encouraging people to drop by and chat. Isadore is survived by his wife, Maribella; his son...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 43)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, MLA Norn was correct. We did have the opportunity to meet with him in Fort Resolution. The two trucks that we were talking about, one was already there. The other one is being processed this year. It's under $50,000, so we're purchasing it through O and M. It will be done this fiscal year. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 43)

Yes, I do.

Minister's Statement 76-19(2): Harvester Support for 2020-2021
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This year particularly has been hard for many Northwest Territories communities and residents who were already struggling to make ends meet. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new economic challenges for some families in the Northwest Territories.

In response to these concerns, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is increasing funding this year to support harvesters and families going out on the land. Three new programs will promote the sharing of land-based knowledge and provide training for the next generation of hunters and trappers. The Take a Family...

Question 404-19(2): Thaidene Nene and Protected Areas
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

There is a link to the land withdrawal for the Dinaga Wek'ehodi on the public registry. ENR is working to improve functionality of the protected areas registry. The work is scheduled to begin in January 2021. We expect that the new version of the protected area registry will be available next summer. In the meantime, ENR continues to keep the current protected areas registry up to date and compliance with section 9 of the Protected Areas Act. We are looking at how best to post board appointments information on the registry. We are trying to work within our guidelines and within our rules and...