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
Constituency Office

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

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

I hope that the Minister and the department actually really looks at it because, from what I understand, it sounds like a good idea.

The last question I do have is just in regards to when he talked about cost of freight going up the Dempster to Tuktoyaktuk. Now we have that road there. Have you guys or will you guys look at the cost of doing this? I understand that the railhead is here. This is the cost going up the railhead, but here is the cost going up on the Dempster to Tuktoyaktuk highway. Because I mean, to me, we spent a lot of money on building that road, and here is an opportunity to...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

I greatly appreciate that answer from the Minister. Yes, they are doing some really good work, trying to get the ferry operational and extending as possible.

In my previous conversations with the Minister, I spoke about the idea of moving the ferry landing to the Enbridge road and having the other landing relocated to the town dock. Has the Minister and the department looked at this option and have they done a cost analysis?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you. I thank Mr. McCormick for explaining that. Will the Minister provide this information at the meeting and explain exactly how that works so we can understand that? I mean, for me, I understand a little bit better, but I would like to be able to get that information out to my communities, even though they are not on the large shipment process. With this petroleum product eating the cost, the freight, it has an impact or could have an impact. I am hearing from Mr. McCormick that it doesn’t, but can we get that clarified and presented at the committee meeting? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

I corrected myself, and I said that I said "information sheet" but you said "information." That is exactly what it was. What I am asking you for is, when you share that information with us, can we share it out to the residents of the Northwest Territories? Because, when we share stuff, sometimes it's confidential, and I don't want to get myself into trouble. So will the Minister provide us with clarity that we can actually share this information that we asked for?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions again are for the Minister of Lands, here. As you can see, it's a very important issue, especially when it comes to IGOs. I am assuming that's Indigenous government organizations and, depending on another department, it's designated authorities, so can the Minister advise if the department is contacting the municipal governments or the designated authorities or the regional organizations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

I thank the Minister and the staff for getting out there and talking to the IGOs. I think that is what he says he is calling it. I'm not too sure what that is, but I thank him for that. I guess my next question is in regard to this information sheet. Why wasn't this information sheet done before they started posting up? Why wasn't this information shared out there to the general public until now when they are asking for it?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to follow up with some more questions to the Minister of Lands. When he talked about going into Nahendeh to consult and talk to the people, he's talking about October 22nd and the 25th. There are six communities in the Nahendeh riding, so can the Minister please explain where they are meeting, and with whom they are meeting? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

I thank the Minister for that answer. Again, government is sloughing on the responsibility. I have asked him: how can we get the government, the Department of Lands, to get that information to the cabin owners? I am not asking about Indigenous governments. I am not asking about process. I am asking him how we are going to get that information to the residents, the ones who are the traditional peoples. The hunters and trappers who are out there are getting notices right now, saying that, you know, you have got to come in. So how are we getting that information to them, just putting a notice up...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is a follow-up on my Member's statement today here. My questions will be for the Minister of Lands. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain why residents are feeling that their treaty rights are being taken away by having their cabins be considered unauthorized occupancy on their own traditional land? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Standing Committee on Social Development concluded its review of Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act, on September 27, 2018, with a public hearing held at the Legislative Assembly building. No public submissions were received concerning this bill. The committee supports the changes contained in the bill as outlined by the Minister. Individual Members may have additional comments or questions as we proceed with the consideration of this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.