Debates of March 11, 2025 (day 53)

March
11
2025
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
53
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 22: Legislation Act
Member’s Statement 584-20(1): Environmental Assessment
Member’s Statement 585-20(1): Addressing the Effects of Trauma
Member’s Statement 586-20(1): Primary Healthcare Access
Member’s Statement 587-20(1): Economic Outlook for the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 588-20(1): Illegal Drug Activity in Public Housing
Member’s Statement 589-20(1): Arctic Security Council
Member’s Statement 590-20(1): Frostbite 55
Member’s Statement 591-20(1): Junction Lights on Highway 5
Member’s Statement 592-20(1): Aurora College Community Learning Centres
Member’s Statement 593-20(1): Federal Defence Spending in the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 594-20(1): Recognition of Gavin Wilkes
Minister’s Statement 114-20(1): Building Resilience Together – Advancing Climate Adaptation in the Northwest Territories
Minister’s Statement 115-20(1): Collaboration with Indigenous Governments
Motion 51-20(1): Affirmative Action Policy
Motion 52-20(1): Strengthening Support for Nurses and Healthcare Workers
Motion 53-20(1): Reappointment of Members to the Human Rights Adjudication Panel
MOTION 53-20(1): Reappointment of Members to The Human Rights Adjudication Panel, Carried
Motion 54-20(1): Extended Adjournment of the House to May 22, 2025
Question 621-20(1): Federal Defence Spending in the Northwest Territories
Question 622-20(1): Committee on Internal Trade
Question 623-20(1): Harm Reduction Supports
Question 624-20(1): Physical Assets of Aurora College Community Learning Centres
Question 625-20(1): Indigenous Employment Policy
Question 626-20(1): Arctic Security Council
Question 627-20(1): Role of Traditional Knowledge in Environmental Assessment Process
Question 628-20(1): Junction Lights on Highways 4 and 5
Question 629-20(1): Primary Care Reform
Question 630-20(1): Status of Caribou Herd Populations
Question 631-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program
Question 632-20(1): Indigenous Employment Policy
Question 633-20(1): Access to Yellowknife Day and Sobering Shelter
Question 634-20(1): Recruitment and Retention of Physicians
Question 635-20(1): Status of Rockhill Housing
Tabled Document 305-20(1): Towards a Basic Income Guarantee in the Northwest Territories: A Proposal to Invest in People for the Common Good – Summary for Policy Makers
Tabled Document 306-20(1): Draft Proposal for Joint Working Group, Terms of Reference
Statements

Question 631-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the Northwest Territories nominee program has opened its doors to new applicants, well my office has been flooded with frustrated and worried people about their fate in the program. I am hearing through various sources that there may be options to restore our numbers back to 300. Can the Minister clarify some of these -- the information that's been going around this space and let us know where her negotiations with the federal government are at. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, through my conversations with the federal government, the federal minister did offer to the Northwest Territories an opportunity to potentially increase our allotment for the Northwest Territories nominee program, and the conversation there revolves around the Northwest Territories welcoming asylum seekers to the territory. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is interesting news, Mr. Speaker. I believe the Northwest Territories has already welcomed around 80 asylum seekers and refugees to the Northwest Territories. Seems like something we can do. Is the Minister going to be taking the federal Minister up on his offer and get our quota back? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, I have asked for further details from the federal minister to better understand exactly who he would be speaking about and then also the potential demands on our system for -- so, for example, our healthcare system. And then, in addition, have wanted to better understand what support services the federal government would be open to offering the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Final supplementary. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, the clock is ticking on the federal government. I don't think we have much long left with them. And certainly many people who are asylum seekers are able to work in the Northwest Territories as well. This seems like it could be two birds with one stone. And certainly the North is welcoming to people, and this would help solve a lot of problems. We have precious little time to get it done. When will the Minister have an answer for the House on this issue? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So I have asked for those further clarifying details from the federal government myself and then have also had a sit-down meeting with MP McLeod to also indicate the additional information that I'm looking for, and he agreed to take that back to his -- to the federal Minister as well. So we're both working together to try and flesh out this information. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.