Member Yellowknife North

Shauna Morgan was elected to the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly to represent the constituency of Yellowknife North.

Ms. Morgan was born and raised in Barrie, Ontario. Having called Yellowknife home for the past 15 years, she has embraced the dynamic, creative and eclectic lifestyle in Old Town near Great Slave Lake.

Ms. Morgan’s commitment to public service is evident in her two consecutive terms on Yellowknife City Council from 2015 to 2022. During this time, she held pivotal roles, including Deputy Mayor, Chair of the Community Energy Planning Committee, and Chair of the Community Advisory Board on Homelessness.

Ms. Morgan holds degrees in International Development (B.A. Hons) and International Affairs (M.A.), specializing in community economic and political development in remote and Indigenous communities globally. She worked with a grassroots cross-cultural peacebuilding movement in the Philippines from 2002 to 2003. Her master's research delved into negotiations between mineral exploration companies and First Nations in Canada, focusing on land access during the earliest stages of mineral exploration.

Over the past 15 years in Yellowknife, Ms. Morgan has prioritized work at the community level. Working with private consulting firms and a non-profit thinktank focused on clean energy, she served as a resource person to Indigenous governments and communities across the NWT. Her contributions ranged from planning renewable energy projects to housing initiatives, building cross-cultural environmental research and monitoring programs, and navigating the complexities of major resource extraction projects.

Ms. Morgan has drawn on her well-rounded skill set to diversify her professional pursuits. While serving as a City Councillor, she managed her own piano teaching studio, worked as an on-the-Land educator with Bushkids NWT, and contributed for many years as a full-time member of the Snow Castle construction crew and snow carving team. Additionally, she engaged in facilitation and consulting contracts.

Active in the arts community, Ms. Morgan provides piano accompaniment for Yellowknife’s Aurora Chorealis (adult community choir) and Fireweed Children’s Choir. She served as a Board member for the Yellowknife Women’s Society and a weekly volunteer with Food Rescue and has dedicated time to the Yellowknife Ski Club and Victim Services.

Ms. Morgan’s love for the land is palpable in her adventurous spirit. She enjoys a myriad of outdoor activities in the North across all seasons, from whitewater and flatwater canoe trips to hiking in Auyuittuq National Park and along the Canol Trail. Her passion extends to cycle touring, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and hunting for moose and ducks with her partner.

Yellowknife North Electoral District

Committees

Shauna Morgan
Yellowknife North
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
shaunamorgan.yknorth@gmail.com
Constituency Office

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask for unanimous consent to return to number 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the Statement of Consistency with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for Bill 26-21, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So that is encouraging to know that the government has agreed to participate in the workshop. Is there a time by which the government will have to confirm or decide, indicating to the NWT Medical Association that it is willing to go forward and enter into these style of negotiations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I'm also told that nurse practitioners are only allocated about $2,000 a year for continuing education, but it often costs significantly more than that to keep up the professional development training they need to fulfill their license requirements. So how will the NTHSSA ensure that nurse practitioners are allocated a sufficient professional development allowance that reflects their level of responsibility and expertise? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask some questions of the Minister of Health and Social Services about nurse practitioners.

So I've heard from many nurse practitioners in the NWT who report not being able to practice to their full scope and, certainly, we had a lot of gaps in our system that we need filled, and there might be potential for nurse practitioners to fill some of those roles. So my first question is what is the NTHSSA or health and social services doing to ensure that nurse practitioners can practice to their full scope and ability? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll take the opportunity, I wanted to ask for the $528,000 that is to be allocated to Aurora College to support the delivery of the practical nurse program, my understanding -- and I could be mistaken on this -- but that the nurse practitioner program at the college was suspended in 2016. It was more formally cut in 2019. But then just recently, in the fall of 2024, formally reinstated.

Can the Minister or the witnesses explain why this amount is coming forward as a supplementary appropriation? Does it have to do with additional money that's required to get this program...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Okay, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister explain the current legislative process that GNWT employees are supposed to follow if they wish to leave the union and form a new association? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And before I forget, I will be requesting a recorded vote.

Thanks to my colleagues for all of the thoughtful comments provided today. And I just wanted to respond to a few or clear up some misconceptions.

First, I would never claim that this is a comprehensive solution to either all of our healthcare staffing issues or workplace safety issues. And I've been very clear from the beginning that this is not a comprehensive solution to the problems with the Public Service Act. What is quite remarkable here is that either of those things are even being suggested as necessary...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

It's always a surprise today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize, first, Andrew Gregory, who is the clinical coordinator at the emergency room and intensive care unit at Stanton Hospital, a Yellowknife North constituent. And also to recognize Saqeeb Siddiqui another registered nurse with Local 11 and the UNW. Thank you for being here today.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Monfwi, that Bill 26, an Act to Amend the Public Service Act, be read for a second time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.