Debates of June 2, 2026 (day 95)

June
2
2026
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
95
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. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Mrs. Yakeleya
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 41: An Act to Amend the Real Estate Agents' Licensing Act, Carried
Bill 49: Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, Carried
Bill 50: Marine Transportation Corporation Act
Bill 51: An Act to Amend the Local Authorities Elections Act
Bill 52: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20262027
Bill 52: Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2026 2027
Committee Motion 166-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 521-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2026-2027, Carried
Committee Motion 168-20(1): Bill 48: An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act - Deletion and substitution in subclause 2(1), paragraph 14.1(2)(b), Carried
Committee Motion 169-20(1): Bill 48: An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act - Deletion and substitution in clause 6
Committee Report 45-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedures and Privileges' Report on the Review of Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 4
Committee Report 46-20(1): Standing Committee on Government Operations' Report on the Statutory Review of the Northwest Territories Heritage Fund Act
Committee Report 47-20(1): Standing Committee on Social Development's Report on Healthcare Accountability and Sustainability
Member's Statement 1044-20(1): Congratulations to Arctic Energy Alliance
Member's Statement 1045-20(1): 25th Annual Arctic Development Expo
Member's Statement 1046-20(1): Child and Family Services
Member's Statement 1047-20(1): Fort Good Hope Housing
Member's Statement 1048-20(1): Support for Trades
Member's Statement 1049-20(1): Accountability for Children
Member's Statement 1050-20(1): Frame Lake Youth Parliament Statement
Member's Statement 1051-20(1): Healthcare Sustainability
Member's Statement 1052-20(1): Concerns with Navigating the Northwest Territories Health System
Member's Statement 1053-20(1): Deh Cho Treaty Negotiations
Member's Statement 1054-20(1): Child and Family Services Audit
Member's Statement 1055-20(1): Youth Parliament Statement - Bailey Nigiyok
Member's Statement 1056-20(1): Youth Parliament Statement - Hayden Pearce
Member's Statement 1057-20(1): Connection
Member's Statement 1058-20(1): Celebrating the Life of Rock Matte
Minister's Statement 211-20(1): Winter and Summer Resupply Seasons
Minister's Statement 212-20(1): Homelessness: Seasonal Update
Motion 81-20(1): Reorganization of Social and Health Governance
Motion 82-20(1): Extended Adjournment of the House to October 20, 2026
Motion 83-20(1): Reappointment of Integrity Commissioner
Motion 83-20(1): Reappointment of Integrity Commissioner, Carried
Motion 84-20(1) Establishment of a Special Committee on Transition Matters
Motion 85-20(1): Censure of the Minister of Health and Social Services
Question 1255-20(1): Offerings for Trades Students
Question 1256-20(1): Cabinet Shuffle
Question 1257-20(1): Twin Falls Trail
Question 1258-20(1): Fort Good Hope Construction Centre
Question 1259-20(1): Children in Care in Other Jurisdictions
Question 1260-20(1): Navigating the Healthcare System
Question 1261-20(1): Environmental Monitoring
Question 1262-20(1): Indigenous Governments and Child and Family Services
Question 1263-20(1): Deh Cho Treaty Negotiations
Question 1264-20(1): Lessons Learned on Mine Licenses
Question 1265-20(1): Supports for Addictions
Question 1266-20(1): Non-Compliance of Statutory Deadlines
Question 1267-20(1): Safety of Roads Along River System
Question 1268-20(1): Improvised Drug Paraphernalia
Question 1269-20(1): Camp Connections
Question 1270-20(1): Wellness and Recovery Centre Status
Question 1271-20(1): Status of Self Government Negotiations with Colville Lake
Question 1272-20(1): Child and Family Services
Question 1273-20(1): Consultations and Public Tenders
Recorded Vote
Tabled Document 531-20(1): Review of the Residential Tenancies Act: What We Heard Report
Tabled Document 532-20(1): Special Committee on Transition Matters 20th Legislative Assembly Draft Terms
Tabled Document 533-20(1): Cancer Care Vision: A Living Framework for Quality and Priorities in the Northwest Territories
Tabled Document 534-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 51: An Act to Amend the Local Authorities Elections Act
Statements

Question 1268-20(1): Improvised Drug Paraphernalia

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at a town hall on crime and public safety that the Minister of Justice attended, one of the attendees brought a bag of improvised crack pipes that she purchased -- that she said she purchased at a local store in downtown Yellowknife. This is very concerning to us, to the RCMP, and of course to the community. Can the Minister speak to why improvised paraphernalia -- this is glass pipes and steel wool -- is allowed to be sold in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't have that information on the specific question that the Member has asked directly in front of me, but I am happy to get a response back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is not a new issue. This is a longstanding one that's known anecdotally throughout the community. We hear about it all the time. Will the Minister take steps to investigate these concerns that have been brought forward by the community at that town hall and since; will the Minister take steps to investigate this and find legal remedies to prevent the sale of dangerous drug paraphernalia in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think I've stood here many times and relayed my commitment to the Northwest Territories on my opinion around drugs and drug-related crime in the Northwest Territories. I am happy to look into the legality of selling this material in a corner store and will bring that information back to the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister for that commitment. Mr. Speaker, this could also be dealt with at the municipal level but I have heard loud and clear from our friends at the City of Yellowknife that they don't want more downloaded to them. So would the Minister also reach out to the City of Yellowknife and see how he can support the city in addressing this issue should it come to that? Essentially, if we find out that this is more of a bylaw issue, will the Minister find ways to support the city to make sure that they are not left solely responsible for cleaning up this problem, which is very much people preying on the drug crisis. It is totally inappropriate and not in line with our values as a community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I certainly have indicated that I am willing to look into this to see what the legality of it is. We're not sure where it may fall in the process. So happy to do that, take that information, share that information, not only with the City of Yellowknife but with other affected communities across the Northwest Territories and see how we can work together to find a solution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife North.