Debates of February 28, 2024 (day 12)

February
28
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
12
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay MacDonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Yakeleya
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 3: Carbon Tax Repeal Act, Carried
Bill 6: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 20232024
Bill 6: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 20232024, Carried
Member’s Statement 131-20(1): Water Regulations and Red Tape Reduction
Member’s Statement 132-20(1): On-the-Land Education
Member’s Statement 133-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Cultural Safety Policies
Member’s Statement 134-20(1): Northwest Territories Economic Future
Member’s Statement 135-20(1): Akaitcho Agreement in Principle Negotiations
Member’s Statement 136-20(1): Addictions and Healing in Small Communities
Member’s Statement 137-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Indigenous Employees
Member’s Statement 138-20(1): Pink Shirt Day
Member’s Statement 139-20(1): K’atlodeeche First Nation 42nd Annual K’amba Carnival
Member’s Statement 140-20(1): Northwest Territories Capital Investment and Labour Force Statistics
Member’s Statement 141-20(1): Pink Shirt Day
Member’s Statement 142-20(1): Eulogy for Vincent James Bertrand
Minister’s Statement 27-20(1): Marine Transportation Services
Minister’s Statement 28-20(1): Celebrating Francophonie in the Northwest Territories
Minister’s Statement 29-20(1): Environment and Climate Change’s Approach to Wildfire Management
Motion 20-20(1): Affirming Housing as a Human Right, Carried
Motion 21-20(1): Taking Action to Address Housing as a Human Right, Carried
Question 128-20(1): Changes to Waters Act Regulations
Question 129-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Cultural Safety Training
Question 130-20(1): Possible Department of National Defence Base in the Northwest Territories
Question 131-20(1): 2SLGBTQIPA+ Safety in Northwest Territories Schools
Question 132-20(1): Akaitcho Agreement in Principle Negotiations
Question 133-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Policy on Indigenous Hiring
Question 134-20(1): On-the-Land Education
Question 135-20(1): Gender Affirming Healthcare
Question 136-20(1): Student Financial Assistance
Question 137-20(1): Regional Director for Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs
Question 138-20(1): Implementation of British Columbia Curriculum in Northwest Territories Schools
Question 139-20(1): Supporting the Mining Industry with a North of 60 Tax Credit
Question 140-20(1): Support for Northwest Territories Volunteers
Question 141-20(1): Primary Healthcare Waitlist
Recorded Vote
Tabled Document 52-20(1): Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act 2023
Tabled Document 53-20(1): Package of Information regarding Policies on 2SLGBTQIPA+ Youth in the Northwest Territories
Tabled Document 54-20(1): Letter from Tlicho Government to Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley on Waters Regulations Interpretation
Tabled Document 56-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 3: Carbon Tax Repeal Act
Written Question 1-20(1): Carbon Tax Revenues and Rebates
Written Question 3-20(1): Extended Health Benefits Policy
Written Question 4-20(1): Privacy Agency Nurses
Written Question 5-20(1): Municipal Funding Gap
Statements

Member’s Statement 134-20(1): Northwest Territories Economic Future

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Predicted economic concerns and notices there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The NWT economic is on the trajectory that will see its mining, oil and gas sector diminish to a small fraction of what it is today. It will leave the territory's economy almost entirely dependent on Canadian taxpayers to fund its very existence. This may sound farfetched, alarmist, and perhaps even controversial.

The purpose of this paper is not to frighten or stoke the controversy. It is fact that the NWT diamond mines will close, and the oil production in Norman Wells will come to an end. It is also fact that minerals, oil and gas, make up the lion's share of the territory's total exports equivalent to 66 percent. Mr. Speaker, when these products are no longer available for sale, the territory will lose an important resource, a source of income, that find the its way through the economy affecting businesses, labour, government revenues. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, it seems reasonable to look at the pending loss of mineral, oil and gas production with concern and to learn what we can do about the implications of a diminished resource sector.

Mr. Speaker, what will economic life look like after when the resource sector is no longer a dominant part of the territory's economic landscape?

The Northwest Territories economy has endless potential transitioning to a low carbon stability as a global imperative one. Our region is ripe with strategic metals fundamental to the EV industry and, collectively, we must institute measures to make capital investments, such as that in our natural resources. Natural resources are put to a sustainable development stage. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement today.

Unanimous consent granted

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this addendum to the working paper Eyes Wide Open is to start a second conversation regarding to the risk of becoming a welfare state and why the territory might want to avoid its possibility. The discussion points are just the starting point for a deeper conversation and many conversations but, more importantly, to start having them now. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Members' statements. Member from Tu NedheWiilideh.