Marking Halloween in a musical manner in the NWT Assembly today, one MLA offered a song for Premier RJ Simpson and his cabinet, sung to the tune of the Addams Family theme song.
Yellowknife Centre’s Robert Hawkins also addressed Speaker Shane Thompson “Mr. Spooker,” instead of the customary Mr. Speaker.
“Mr. Spooker, recognizing it’s All Hallows Eve … so today, strictly in jest, I’ve elected to make my All Hallows Eve statement in the theme of Adams Family, or rather, the Simpson Cabinet Family, I do apologize in advance for the singing trauma I intend to inflict.
“It may be a trick, but it may be truly a treat … duh, duh, duh” (and three finger snaps):
“Our cabinet’s kind of spooky. Their policies are often ‘ooky.’ Their visions quite mysterious. The Simpson Cabinet Family.
“Most days I dread to see them. Their plans have members screamin’. Their decisions can be cryptic. The Simpson Cabinet Family.
“The members are here are workin’, we’re not here to scare ‘em. We’re bringing solutions to them, to the Simpson Cabinet Family.
Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins announces a parody song for Premier RJ Simpson and cabinet, as Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart looks on. (Image courtesy of Assembly livestream)
“So, their budgets’ leave us a scratching, but beware of their distractions. The cabinet may be icky, because they are the Simpson cabinet family.”
Also on Thursday, Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rogers demanded answers as to why liquor prices jumped as much as 28-per-cent in Inuvik, without any advance notice.
“Yesterday, I learned that the price of bottled beer in Inuvik went up by 28-per-cent, the price of can coolers went up 20-per-cent, and liquor went up six-per-cent … this is a significant increase for those purchasing recreational alcohol in a liquor store, or those who attend the bars and restaurants Inuvik,” he said.
“Where was the communication on this? I learned this from Facebook, and I learned it from constituents reaching out to me, saying, what’s happening?”
Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek explained the GNWT recently concluded an agreement with the local contractor in Inuvik to extend the contract only for the rest of this calendar year.
“The prices on our end haven’t changed. It does seem there was a delay (when) the last contract was coming due. So, there’s now an extension in place, so that there can be sales available for residents in Inuvik.
“The commission that they negotiated for themselves went up, and so the prices have gone up.”
Wawzonek said a new request for proposals is now out, with the GNWT looking for a permanent partner.
Sticker shock on alcohol prices can lead problem drinkers to seek non-potable substances, or encourage bootlegging.
At the start of the afternoon, Wawzonek gave a detailed explanation of how hard it is to produce power in the NWT, all while trying to find green alternatives.
That as the Northwest Territories Power Corporation is looking to increase its rate by nearly 25 per cent across the board in all rate zones.
The Jackfish Power Plant in Yellowknife burning diesel in winter 2024. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
NTPC has filed a General Rate Application with the Public Utilities Board asking for an incremental rate increase over a period of time.
Cory Strang, president and CEO of NTPC, stated in a release, “we are facing major issues, such as extreme low water and high diesel prices, that are beyond our control.”
However, the PUB will have the final say about any rate increases.
Meanwhile, Premier Simpson announced plans to address the homelessness crisis across the NWT by creating a new government office.
The Governance and Service Integration Division will focus on increasing transitional and supportive housing options begin to close gaps in the housing continuum.
“We know that stable housing is foundational for people to address other challenges in their lives,” stated Simpson.
“We also know that moving from shelters straight into independent housing is often not possible and can create additional challenges for some people … who need stability to be successful tenants and reach their own goals.”
The Premier said that over the life of the 20th Assembly, four integration teams will be established across the territory, with three focusing on homelessness and one team focused on family preservation.
These teams will streamline access for residents and ensure services are provided in a timely, agile and culturally safe manner, and that there are supports to keep people housed and prevent homelessness, rather than only responding to crisis.
These teams have already been established in Yellowknife and Fort Simpson, with plans to launch in Inuvik in December.
This fall session ends tomorrow morning, with members returning in February.
– with files from Mariah Caruso
