Debates of October 31, 2024 (day 36)

October
31
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
36
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, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 15: Northwest Territories Indigenous-Led Conservation Fund Establishment Act
Committee Motion 51-20(1): Concurrence of Tabled Document 193-20(1), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2025-2026, Carried
Member’s Statement 410-20(1): Women in Politics Event
Member’s Statement 411-20(1): Sahtu Winter Road Project Planning
Member’s Statement 412-20(1): Community Firefighter Training Funding
Member’s Statement 413-20(1): Project Cost Overrun
Member’s Statement 414-20(1): Cost of Living in Small Communities
Member’s Statement 415-20(1): Communication Issues regarding Localized Inflation of Liquor Costs
Member’s Statement 416-20(1): Mezi Community School in Whati
Member’s Statement 417-20(1): Public Housing and Barriers towards Increasing Homeownership
Member’s Statement 419-20(1): Ode to Cabinet at Hallowe’en
Member’s Statement 420-20(1): Carole Berman’s Donation
Minister’s Statement 81-20(1): A Way Home: Government of the Northwest Territories Homelessness Strategy
Minister’s Statement 82-20(1): General Rate Application
Minister’s Statement 83-20(1): 2024 Canada 55+ Games
Motion 44-20(1): Performance Audit of the Management and Governance of the NTHSSA, Carried
Question 399-20(1): Diagnostic Rates for Autism
Question 400-20(1): Localized Increased Liquor Prices for Inuvik
Question 401-20(1): Cost of Firefighter Training for Northwest Territories
Question 402-20(1): Capacity Issues at Mezi School in Whati
Question 403-20(1): Municipal and Community Affairs Community Engagement regarding Funding
Question 404-20(1): Draft Climate Change Action Plan
Question 405-20(1): Winter Road Season Planning
Question 406-20(1): Yellowknife Homelessness Planning and Engagement
Question 407-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Project Cost Overruns
Question 408-20(1): Housing Arrears Forgiveness and Repairs for Indigenous Communities
Question 409-20(1): Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
Question 410-20(1): Climate Change Draft Action Plans
Question 411-20(1): Planning for Northwest Territories Power Grid
Recorded Vote
Tabled Document 220-20(1): Territorial Police Service Agreement – RCMP Annual Report (2023-2024)
Tabled Document 222-20(1): Northwest Territories Power Corporation and Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation Annual Report 2023-24
Tabled Document 224-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 15: Northwest Territories Indigenous-Led Conservation Fund Establishment Act
Written Question 9-20(1): Staffing of Doctor and Specialist Positions within the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
Statements

Member’s Statement 410-20(1): Women in Politics Event

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the staff for fixing my microphone.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to speak today about an event here held in the Great Hall last night. Equal Voice NWT chapter had its first event - a meet-and-greet. Spearheaded by the City of Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty, over 50 women and nonbinary folks, and a few men -- thank you to the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake -- gathered to meet and learn more about running for public office.

Mr. Speaker, a diversity of backgrounds, genders, and experience is a strength in every elected leadership role. School boards, municipal councils, the House of Commons, and, of course, this House. I am grateful to the previous Members for Yellowknife Centre and Range Lake who, as a part of the 18th Assembly's special committee on increasing the representation of women in the Legislative Assembly, decided to hold a series of workshops they called Women on the Ballot. Over several months of Sundays in early 2019, both I and many other women came together to learn more about how to run or support a campaign from many subject-experts and people who had already walked the walk. I was honoured to volunteer on a campaign of one of those women in 2019. After that experience, I realized that with some hard work and dedication, it could be a possibility for anyone, including me.

Mr. Speaker, I believe in paying it forward. I do not gatekeep. I want to make sure that folks of all underrepresented demographics have the tools and encouragement they need to run for office and assist those who they support. I'm thrilled by last night's turnout and keen interests from so many Northerners, including some as far away as from Ulukhaktok. It was lovely to see folks from the gender equity unit of the GNWT attend as well. Hopefully, we can increase networking opportunities as a result.

I would like to thank Her Worship Mayor Alty for pulling the chapter together, and I look foward to supporting many events, including possible future campaign schools into the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Members' statements. Member from Sahtu.