Debates of May 28, 2024 (day 17)

May
28
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
17
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
Committee Motion 4-20(1): Referral of Tabled Document 94-20(1): 2024-2028 Business Plans, to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight
Member’s Statement 189-20(1): Wildfire Review
Member’s Statement 190-20(1): Family Medicine Residency Program
Member’s Statement 191-20(1): Public Safety Communications
Member’s Statement 192-20(1): Sahtu Resupply
Member’s Statement 193-20(1): Northwest Territories Emergency Management Plan for Municipalities
Member’s Statement 194-20(1): Aurora College Transformation
Member’s Statement 195-20(1): Increase of Drugs and Crime in Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 196-20(1): Fort Resolution house Fire
Member’s Statement 197-20(1): Health Promotion in Schools
Member’s Statement 198-20(1): Funding for Midwives
Member’s Statement 199-20(1): Youth Parliament 2024
Member’s Statement 200-20(1): Billy Alfred Deneyoua Celebration of Life
Minister’s Statement 34-20(1): Indigenous Government Partnerships and Capacity Building
Motion 26-20(1): Referral of Tabled Document 94-20(1): 2024-2028 Business Plans, to Committee of the Whole, Carried
Motion 27-20(1): Reappointment of Human Rights Commission Members
Question 193-20(1): Public Safety Communications
Question 194-20(1): Funding for Midwifery
Question 195-20(1): Aurora College Transformation
Question 196-20(1): Housing Units Destined for Sahtu
Question 197-20(1): Policing in Northwest Territories Communities
Question 198-20(1): Working with Municipalities on Emergency Plans
Question 200-20(1): Family Medicine Residency Program
Question 201-20(1): Midwifery Support
Question 202-20(1): After-Action Review of the 2023 Wildfires
Question 203-20(1): RCMP Responding to Addictions-Related Calls
Question 204-20(1): Increased Security at Northwest Territories Border
Tabled Document 100-20(1): 2023 Annual Report Northwest Territories Public Utilities Board
Tabled Document 101-20(1): Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 127-20(1): Policies and Future of Housing Northwest Territories
Tabled Document 102-20(1): Letter from the Members of the Union of Northern Workers Local 11 at Stanton Territorial Hospital to members of the 20th Legislative Assembly on the Use of Agency Nurses in nwt Healthcare
Tabled Document 103-20(1): Letter from the Northwest Territories Medical Association regarding Submission of the NWT Medical Association in Resonse to the Call for Submissions for Restoring Balance: A Fiscal Sustainability Strategy for the 20th Legis...
Statements

Member’s Statement 195-20(1): Increase of Drugs and Crime in Northwest Territories

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'm going to be talking about drugs and crime.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about the increase of drugs and crimes in the NWT. It is disturbing to acknowledge there is a rise of homicide in the NWT right now related to drugs. There is more violent crimes, and the RCMP acknowledge the link between drugs and the unprecedented number of homicide that have occurred. I want to offer my condolences to all the families and friends who have been impacted by drug crime in our territory. There is one I do send my condolence to the families in Behchoko that are affected by this as well, and they are we're having a service today.

Mr. Speaker, we see the RCMP is trying to respond to these crimes and illegal activity. When dealers are arrested or charged, parents and grandparents are so relieved and so happy. Mr. Speaker, this is what we want to see. We want to see is the RCMP take control of the drug trade in the NWT. We want our communities to be safe. We want our children to grow up without being influenced by drug by fast cash and addictions.

Mr. Speaker, the drug trade is destroying the lives of our peoples. Our people are being shot, assaulted, abused, and intimidated. When are we going to stand up and let drug dealers know the NWT is not a place to do business? Right now, there are homicide cases linked to drug dealing with no updates. And in other cases, when charges are laid, they get off on technicality.

Drug dealers come to the NWT and pray on our vulnerable people. They take over people's homes and set up businesses in the NWT, which leads to more crimes like theft and assault. It leads to more addictions. It leads to more destruction, trauma, chaos.

Mr. Speaker, people in small communities are scared. Our communities do not feel safe. I am very concerned about communities without an RCMP detachment. Gameti chief and council had to take it upon themselves to remove a person who was known to be selling drugs. Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Without a consistent RCMP force, drug dealers with easily take advantage of small communities. This rise of drugs and crime is debilitating our communities and our territory. Mr. Speaker, who runs this territory? We need to make laws and take actions today because right now in the NWT, the drug trade is winning, and our people are losing. I will have question for the Minister of Justice. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Tu NedheWiilideh.