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 169-18(3): Wood Pellet Production in the Northwest Territories
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

I thank the Minister for that answer. I guess my next question is: how would the greenhouse-gas-savings calculations change if pellets burned were made from green lumber?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On page 216, it says “Growing Forward.” It says “$488,000.” Could the Minister just maybe elaborate a little further on what he talked about with the Economic Diversification in there, the amount? I'm just trying to get that clarified. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Question 162-18(3): Wood Pellet Production in the Northwest Territories
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister's answer and the department working on this project. My final question is: In regards to wood pellets that are being burned now to heat many GNWT buildings, how are the greenhouse gas savings calculated? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

I thank the Minister for the clarification on that. It says, "NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation," it's the $943,000. Is that the BDIC cut? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Question 162-18(3): Wood Pellet Production in the Northwest Territories
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

I thank the Minister for the answer. I think, probably, the standing committee would probably wish to see that. My second question is: I understand that more than 3.5 million hectares of forest have been burned in recent years, leaving behind large tracts of dry and boreal forest. Of course, much of it is in the South Mackenzie region. Using this timber might be an environmentally better source for Aurora Wood Pellet's operations. Has the company considered this, and, if so, what were the results of this consideration?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for that answer. Has the department been working with the federal government for a potential program in this area again, or is that not going to happen again? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Member's Statement on Wood Pellet Production in the NWT
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will likely soon have a new industry in our territory manufacturing wood pellets. Aurora Wood Pellets' operation in Enterprise is expected to create many jobs at its mills and jobs for wood cutters from two First Nations communities. This is a very good thing.

I see from the records of the NWT Land and Water Board that green trees will be cut at various sites for pellet-making. Cleared lands are expected to regrow naturally without tree planting. The cuttings that have been approved are deemed to be sustainable for our forest. This is also good.

What is...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you, and I'd like to applaud the department for doing that. I think it is much needed for the territory, and I think this is a good first step. My last question is: there was a reduction in the policy and legislation communication of about $35,000; what is the reason for this reduction? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you. Can the Minister expand on that occupational health and safety position? Is that allocated in a regional centre, or is that a headquarter position that looks after the territory? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister please tell us if this position was actually filled at this time, or was this a vacant position? Thank you, Mr. Chair.