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, 2nd Session (day 58)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to follow up with a couple of more questions hopefully regarding the apprenticeship stuff. So when I was given the list of positions there, I was told that there were three types of apprenticeships, but I have heard of a plumber. So do we look at all five trades or is it just the three trades that we are looking at? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 58)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Maybe I am naive, but you need a Red Seal Journeyman to actually apprentice under. If you do not have an oil burning mechanic in the community, you cannot actually do an apprenticeship. I guess what I am looking for is if the corporation can identify, or provide us with a breakdown of how the apprenticeship program is utilized across the territories. Well, we have 12 certified, and nine in the program, so that is only 21. Can the Minister identify where these 21 are, the graduates and the nine who are taking the program? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 58)

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for her answer. I am well aware that it takes four years to do this, but I guess I am looking at this apprenticeship. We have 2,800 rental units across the Northwest Territories, and we have a large discrepancy in the skilled workforce in these areas. My big concern is, if we have nine taking the program, we still have six outstanding positions. What type of plan is the Corporation looking at to make sure we have maxed out at 15 per year in this area, and realizing that some people may be there for four years to finish their apprenticeship? Thank...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 57)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a couple of questions. I notice a reduction of $410,000 for the facilities program, properties planning risk management safety. Can the Minister please explain why we see the reduction in this area? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 57)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the answer to the Minister. I will make that commitment that I will make sure that I get that letter to you guys. I will have to phone my office there because I got a response back from the department saying that it was going to be looked at and that was -- again I apologize, but I will make sure that we get this e-mail forwarded and I appreciate the Minister's commitment to look into it and work with the community to address this issue. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 57)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to thank the Minister for the answer. It is great to hear that the department is working with the communities when these tragedies happen.

Mr. Speaker, when a tragedy occurs in the small communities, will the Minister advise us who the department contacts? Is it the leadership, the family, or is there just whomever they decide who needs to be contacted? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 57)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the Minister for that answer. In this section of road, there is a hill that the community has been trying to renovate or fix up in the last year or so. What has the department been doing with the community to address this issue? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 57)

I think the Minister kind of answered my second question, but I am going to ask it anyway so we can get a little bit further information. Mr. Speaker, when dealing with these tragedies, will the Minister explain what the department does to ensure that there are necessary supports that are available to the communities besides just talking to them?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 57)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In regard to the winter roads, you have heard my brief comments at the very beginning, the importance of helping the communities and especially Sambaa K'e with their winter road. Can the Minister please advise us what they have been doing to make sure this winter road is safe and efficient? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 57)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you, colleagues. This past year, she won an award from the Provincial Rowing Association for her commitment to this sport.

This year, she will be moving to Victoria, BC, to try out for the national team. I would like all my colleagues to give her a big round of applause and wish her all the best of luck. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Applause