Debates of February 27, 2025 (day 47)

February

2025

Session

20th Assembly, 1st Session

Day

Speaker

Shane Thompson

Word PDF

Members Present

Mr. Edjericon, 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, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Mrs. Yakeleya

Assembly Members

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Sheryl Yakeleya

Dehcho

Topics

Bill 12: Business Day Statute Law Amendment Act, Carried

Bill 21: An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act

Member’s Statement 522-20(1): Homeownership in the Northwest Territories

Member’s Statement 523-20(1): Transitional Housing

Member’s Statement 524-20(1): Liquified Natural Gas in the Beaufort Delta

Member’s Statement 525-20(1): Ground Search and Rescue

Member’s Statement 526-20(1): Elder Abuse

Member’s Statement 527-20(1): Illegal Drugs Presence

Member’s Statement 528-20(1): K’amba Carnival

Member’s Statement 529-20(1): Role of Pharmacists in Health Care Services

Member’s Statement 530-20(1): Recognition of Roger Pilling, Recipient of Northwest Territories Outstanding Elder Volunteer Award

Minister’s Statement 100-20(1): 2025 Northwest Territories Outstanding Volunteer Awards

Minister’s Statement 101-20(1): Ministers Absent from the House

Minister’s Statement 99-20(1): Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Body Worn Cameras

Motion 47-20(1): State of Emergency for Humanitarian Reasons for Norman Wells, Carried

Question 548-20(1): Role of Pharmacists in Health Care Services

Question 549-20(1): Elder Abuse in the Northwest Territories

Question 550-20(1): Transitional and Public Housing

Question 551-20(1): Ground Search and Rescue

Question 552-20(1): Government Response to Drug Crisis

Question 553-20(1): Funding of Renewable Energy Initiatives and Promotion of Mackenzie Delta Liquified Natural Gas Project

Question 554-20(1): Harm Reduction Initiatives

Question 555-20(1): Liquified Natural Gas Development in the Beaufort Delta

Question 556-20(1): Homeownership Programs and Supports

Question 557-20(1): Public Safety Initiatives

Question 558-20(1): Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Legislation and Fort Resolution Leadership Request to Meet with RCMp

Question 559-20(1): Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Workplace Morale

Question 560-20(1): Climate Change Action Plan

Question 561-20(1): Medical Travel Accommodation

Recorded Vote

Statements

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. State of Emergency for Humanitarian Reasons for Norman Wells.

WHEREAS the Town of Norman Wells has been requesting long-term solutions from the Government of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the Town has offered to work with the Government of the Northwest Territories on proactive community planning because of climate change impacts on resupply to Norman Wells which has resulted in rising food insecurity, rising heating costs, rising and prohibitive costs of living, and rising and prohibitive costs of doing business;

AND WHEREAS Imperial Oil is transitioning out of the community, which will result in a reduced tax base for the community and territory, diminished opportunities for skilled workers in the community and unknown risks and changes to the community's power generation and transmission;

AND WHEREAS the Mayor and Council of Norman Wells is seeking assistance and is requesting that the Government of the Northwest Territories:

Recognize the Town's local declaration of a state of emergency and communicate the matter to the to the Government of Canada, seeking humanitarian aid;

Develop a comprehensive policy and procedure to respond to any humanitarian state of emergency within Northwest Territories communities;

Engage in sustainable community planning with stakeholders in Norman Wells; and

Facilitate a discussion between Imperial Oil Resources and the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Tlegohti Got'ine.

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, that this Legislative Assembly resolve that the current situation in the Town of Norman Wells is a state of emergency for humanitarian reasons;

AND FURTHER, that this Legislative Assembly calls upon the Government of the Northwest Territories to communicate this state of emergency with the Government of Canada, seeking humanitarian aid for the community;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this motion within 120 days.

And, Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote. Mahsi.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Member for the Sahtu has asked for a recorded vote. Those all supporting the motion, please stand.

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Minister of Justice, thank you. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 12, Business Day Statute Law Amendment Act, be read for the third time. And, Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote. Thank you.

Recorded Vote

Speaker: Mr. Glen Rutland

The Member for Hay River North. The Member for Hay River South. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. The Member for Nunakput. The Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. The Member for Deh Cho. The Member from Sahtu. The Member for Yellowknife Centre. The Member for Range Lake. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake. The Member for Frame Lake. The Member for Great Slave. The Member for Yellowknife North. The Member for Thebacha. The Member for Yellowknife South.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand. Colleagues, vote: 15 in favour, zero opposed, zero abstentions. Motion has passed. The motion is carried. Bill 12 has had third reading.

---Carried