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
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Shane_thompson@ntassembly.ca
Phone
867-767-9141 (link is a phone number)
Extension
11128
Constituency Office

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

Phone
867-695-3780(link is a phone number)

Statements in Debates

Question 276-19(2): Territorial Fire Centre
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 26)

Every year, our department works with our firefighters to get there, but I think maybe the Member is talking about the facility itself. With the facility itself, there was a planning study done and a design in place, and a new facility has been identified, where the land is going to be, so there are drawings and there is a plan in place right now.

Minister's Statement 47-19(2): 2020 Wildfire Season
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. The wildfire season this year is off to a slow start thanks to cooler temperatures in May, right across the territory. It has only been in the last week or so that things are finally starting to warm up. Hot weather is predicted through June and July, with temperatures well above normal. These are prime conditions for wildfires.

As of this week, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has responded to one wildfire in the Northwest Territories. This fire is suspected to be human-caused and is under investigation. Mr. Speaker, it is critical that residents...

Question 276-19(2): Territorial Fire Centre
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 26)

We do have the equipment that we need right now. Can we get the most modern technology? That would be great, but right now the existing material that we have and the equipment that we have, and our staff is amazing, they're recognized internationally and nationally and they do get asked to be out there. So, right now, we do have the equipment we need right now. Could we have more? Yes. It would be great if we had the most modern, but, right now, we have the existing equipment that we need for them to do their job.

Question 276-19(2): Territorial Fire Centre
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For that detail, I'll have to get back to the Member, because that involves a lot of work with the department to get that information. I'll make that commitment to reach out to the department and get that information for her. Thank you.

Question 271-19(2): Impacts of Camping outside of Campgrounds
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 25)

As for follow-up, I know that the department is listening to us right now. Within five days, I am hoping to have that answer, if not sooner. Thank you, Madam -- Mr. Speaker.

Question 271-19(2): Impacts of Camping outside of Campgrounds
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 25)

We actually do get out there with the town people, being fire smart, being safe, looking out for the environment, don't feed bears, and stuff like that. Again, what we are trying to do is, because we are in a new environment, we do have stuff out there, but we don't have them out there on the weekends right now. We will look into this matter, and we will advise the public what we are going to be doing moving forward. Right now, we rely on the public because we are asking them to advise us of situations so that we can help them move forward. Wearing my other hat with the Minister of Lands, we...

Question 272-19(2): Transfer of Lands within Municipal Boundaries
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 25)

When it comes to surveying lands, it is actually the municipality's responsibility, not the department's. I am hoping that, within three years, it will be done, but again, it's about people working together. If they are not going to be able to work together, that is our challenge. Right now, from my understanding in talking with the YK Dene chiefs and the Mayor of Yellowknife, people are working together. They are working to come up with an agreement.

Question 272-19(2): Transfer of Lands within Municipal Boundaries
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have said in the House here before, we are working with Indigenous governments in the City of Yellowknife to move the process forward. We have had a number of meetings, and we are trying to work with them to come up with a process that works for everybody involved, including the City of Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 271-19(2): Impacts of Camping outside of Campgrounds
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 25)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I guess I should clarify. They do do weekends, but right now, we aren't because we're in a new environment. The campgrounds that are going on right now, freelance and that, we are working on that. We are looking at that situation. We do have our bear line up. We have our fire line up. We have those things there. As for the sewers and that, we have to work across departments. As the Minister for ITI spoke about, we have people who are cross-trained. We work together with these matters.

Again, we are asking the public to bring it forward to us if we have concerns. We...

Question 271-19(2): Impacts of Camping outside of Campgrounds
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for her question. The department does go out there and inspect various campsites and that. Unfortunately, right now, campsites are closed right now, so we have actually asked the public to advise us of situations so that we are aware of them and so that we can send staff out there to make sure that they are following the guidelines that we set out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.