Debates of February 5, 2025 (day 38)

February
5
2025
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
38
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay Macdonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek.
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 17: Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendment Act
Bill 18: An Act to Amend the Partnership and Business Names Act
Committee Motion 54-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Prayer (Chapter Four), Carried
Committee Motion 55-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Prayer – Rule 5.4(2), Carried
Committee Motion 56-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Acknowledgements – Rule 5.8(2), Carried
Committee Motion 57-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Consolidation of Rules, Carried
Committee Motion 58-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Restrictions on When Replies to the Commissioner’s ...
Committee Motion 59-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Motions Location on Daily Orders, Carried
Committee Motion 60-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Returns to Oral Questions, Carried
Committee Motion 61-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Oral Questions, Carried
Committee Motion 62-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Follow-up Information to Oral Questions – Rule 7.2(...
Committee Motion 63-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Follow-up Information to Oral Questions – Rule 7.2(...
Committee Motion 64-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Sitting Hours – Rule 2.2(1), Carried
Committee Motion 65-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Sitting Hours – Rule 2.2(2), Carried
Committee Motion 66-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Ministers’ Statements in Committee of the Whole, Ca...
Committee Motion 67-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Ministers’ Statements in Committee of the Whole –...
Committee Motion 68-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Short Titles for Bills, Carried
Committee Motion 69-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Prayer, Carried
Member’s Statement 430-20(1): Support for Northwest Territories Residents
Member’s Statement 431-20(1): State of the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 432-20(1): Request for Support for the Town of Norman WElls
Member’s Statement 433-20(1): Improving the Land Use Permitting Process
Member’s Statement 434-20(1): Respite Care and At-Home Care
Member’s Statement 435-20(1): Welcome Back Message
Member’s Statement 436-20(1): Tariffs
Member’s Statement 437-20(1): State of the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 438-20(1): Hay River Curling Team Success
Member’s Statement 439-20(1): Celebration of Life of Avery Julianna Burke
Minister’s Statement 87-20(1): Minister Absent from the House
Minister’s Statement 88-20(1): Sessional Statement
Question 424-20(1): Canada-USA Tariffs and Trade
Question 425-20(1): Arctic Sovereignty and Investment
Question 426-20(1): Public Lands Act Regulations Update
Question 427-20(1): Out-of-Territory Care, Supportive Living and Respite Care
Question 428-20(1): Out-of-Territory Care, Supportive Living and Respite Care
Question 429-20(1): Green New Deal and Critical Minerals
Question 430-20(1): Quarrying and Land-Use Permits
Question 431-20(1): Changes to the Government of the Northwest Territories Affirmative Action Policy
Question 432-20(1): Naming of Government of the Northwest Territories Buildings
Question 433-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Employment Satisfaction Survey and Action Plan
Question 434-20(1): Northwest Territories Carbon Taxation
Question 435-20(1): Aspen Building Project Update
Tabled Document 241-20(1): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 405-20(1): Winter Road Tabled Document 241-20(1): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 405-20(1): Winter Road Season Planning
Tabled Document 251-20(1): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 423-20(1): Carbon Tax
Tabled Document 257-20(1): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 397-20(1): Overdose-Related RCMP Calls
Tabled Document 271-20(1): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 419-20(1): Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Operational Concerns
Tabled Document 272-20(1): Documents Compiled by Town of Norman Wells regarding the Town’s Declaration of a Local State of Emergency for Humanitarian Reasons
Statements

Member’s Statement 432-20(1): Request for Support for the Town of Norman WElls

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The town of Norman Wells issued a state of emergency back in October 2024. At the time, I spoke in this House about the Emergency Management Act and suggested that there could be opportunities for territorial and federal support to help mitigate the high cost of living in Norman Wells. Mr. Speaker, now Imperial Oil Resources is discussing shutting down its operations in the community. Mr. Speaker, it has been reported by Imperial and the media that the Norman Wells oil field, which is more than a century old, has at most another five or ten years’ life before closure. This will be shortened without regulatory approval. The transition process, Mr. Speaker, is just beginning and, eventually, 60 employees, as well as visiting contractors, will have to find new opportunities or new work. This closure, Mr. Speaker, will put further economic strain on the community of Norman Wells. Something must be done now to ensure there is hope for the future for the residents.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT must make good on its mandate to build a strong economic foundation. Mr. Speaker, the residents of Norman Wells are starting to think about the town, what the town will look like post closure. They are looking at ways they can transition from being dependent on Imperial for home heating oil/electricity to become a self-supporting community.

Mr. Speaker, later I intend to table documents at the appropriate time with the anticipation to initiate a joint collaboration framework alternatively a sustainable working group for this challenge. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.