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 521-18(3): Regional Wellness Councils
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are going to be for the Minister of Health and Social Services again in regard to the regional wellness councils. Mr. Speaker, it's great to hear that the councils move their meetings to communities in a region, and it's been very helpful. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of community awareness of the meetings. Can the Minister advise us what the council does to advertise their meetings and how do they encourage public involvement in these meetings? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 521-18(3): Regional Wellness Councils
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I greatly appreciate that answer. I look forward to working with the regional councils because they have been asking me for that information, so I greatly appreciate the Minister with his answer. My final question is: can the Minister explain why the council is not able to hold meetings without having a chairperson in attendance? Do they not have a vice chairperson identified when they do this process?

Question 521-18(3): Regional Wellness Councils
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 51)

Before I go on to my next question, I appreciate the Minister for the correction in our communication. These things happen all the time, so I greatly appreciate him making that announcement here.

My next question is: do the regional wellness councils have agendas that have spots to allow public involvement in the meetings? If not, will the Minister and the department work with the NWT Health and Social Services and have it as a standard part of their agenda?

Member's Statement on Eulogy for Tommy Betsaka
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on June 18, 1947, Thomas "Tommy" Betsaka was born to Jimmy and Eliza Betsaka in the Netla area. He passed away in his sleep on January 6, 2019. He was 72 years old.

Tommy was one of 13 children. To know Tommy, he was always busy. He enjoyed being outside, fixing or adjusting something, often on his skidoo or boat. He loved his traditional lifestyle. Whether he was hauling wood, hunting, or fishing, he loved being outdoors. Family and friends spoke about how he was an excellent provider for his family and friends. He was a generous man. Tommy was very...

Question 509-18(3): Regional Wellness Councils
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will actually table the response from the Minister. It did say longer than 30 days. I will table the whole discussion there. Mr. Speaker, so the Minister is inviting me to this meeting. I greatly appreciate it, but the regional council has asked: will the Minister attend that same meeting so that he can explain everything to them, as well? So I appreciate his invitation. I gladly accept it if it fits into my schedule, but I am hoping the Minister will be able to attend that meeting, as well, so that he can hear the regional council's concerns, as well.

Question 509-18(3): Regional Wellness Councils
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

I appreciate that answer from the Minister. I am well aware of that process, but I am trying to get that information out there and understand the roles and that. So the Minister said that we go through the department to get the information through him, and the standard timeline is five days, so why does it take longer than that in some cases?

Member's Statement on Eulogy for Flora Cli
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the last sitting Nahendeh region experienced the loss of one of our beloved elders, Flora "Big Momma" Cli. She was born on April 3, 1943, to William and Mary Cli. She passed away on December 1, 2018, after a long battle with cancer.

Flora was one of 11 children. I had the pleasure of knowing Flora personally, had the opportunity to be invited into her home for some tea and snacks that she always had available. She was always busy doing things around the house. However, she loved to be in her cook house that Francis and Steven built for her. This was...

Question 509-18(3): Regional Wellness Councils
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

I thank the Minister for that answer. Yes, I understand it takes longer than five days, so I am just going to give you a scenario. I asked a similar question that a regional council asked, and I was advised that I have to wait until the regional council gets this information. It's more than 30 days. It's a meeting that is going to happen in the springtime. So can he please explain to me why that information has to be shared with the regional council before coming to us?

Question 509-18(3): Regional Wellness Councils
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was asking questions of the Minister of Health about regional wellness councils, and I would like to follow up on some more questions here today. There seems to be some confusion about the NWT Health and Social Services board and regional wellness councils and trying to get information, so can the Minister explain what is the role of both regional councils and NWT Health and Social Services to provide information to MLAs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to also recognize Louise Leblanc, Local 13 president from Fort Simpson, as part of the Union of Northern Workers, as well as Mr. Ernie Bernhardt and Beatrice Bernhardt, who are family friends. I had the opportunity to work with them in Kugluktuk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.