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 193-19(2): Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 18)

As the request, right now, we haven't heard anything from Indigenous governments. We haven't heard from the mining industry. Right now, we haven't heard, besides our Member here, and I appreciate his work leading up to this. Right now, we haven't heard anything from them. I can reach out to the three land claim agreements to see if they have concerns with it, but right now, we're not going to review this because it's an obligation in the agreements.

Question 193-19(2): Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 18)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Surface Rights Board is a land claim obligation in the Gwich'in final agreement and is referenced in the Sahtu and the Tlicho agreements. The department has not heard from any IGOs or other governments or organizations about issues with this board presently. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 194-19(2): Agricultural Leases in the Northwest Territories
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 18)

Yes, that's part of it. We also have to understand that there is high demand for recreational leases, and that is part of the plan moving forward. We are working on it, and I will keep the Member informed as we move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 194-19(2): Agricultural Leases in the Northwest Territories
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 18)

I have heard this concern from the Member and other people in here. In the long term, we don't allow that, but in the present, what we are encouraging people to do is to actually apply for residential leases besides the commercial lease for the land so that they can live beside the land right now. We are in the process of trying to work on it, and the process takes some time.

Question 193-19(2): Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 18)

As I said, we have not heard anything from Indigenous governments on this concern. We are under the process that we will review this if there is a new land claim settled, and we would actually start the process then. I am willing to work with the Member to see how we and the committee can start this process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 193-19(2): Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 18)

In the main estimates, I did make a commitment that we should look at this board, and we did. One of the things we did was examine the land claim agreements, and I can confirm the Surface Rights Board is a land claim obligation in the Gwich'in and is also stated in the Sahtu and Tlicho agreements. This board is actually fully funded by the Government of Canada, so we have an obligation to have this board in place.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Madam Chair. My understanding is it's contribution agreements, and they have to provide reports as part of the contribution agreement. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I understand the Member wants to make it public, and yes, he is correct; it is $55,000 moving forward. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Madam Chair. We can give it to you. Right now, it's program policy management, communication adaptation, climate change information and data management, adaptation programs, air quality monitoring, and that is presently where the funding is. Does the Member wish to have a complete breakdown of those areas? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Madam Chair. MLA Simpson asked the question about the cutting of the roads and that, and we were able to get the information. With your permission, I would ask the deputy minister to provide that information. Thank you, Madam Chair.