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MLA Hawkins Shares Disappointment with new Indigenous Employment Policy My Yellow Knife Now
December 20, 2024
...recruitment and career development to build more long-term careers within the GNWT, building a workforce that better reflects the population. Robert Hawkins, the MLA for Yellowknife Centre, is one of the several members of the government who have taken issue with the proposed Policy. Hawkins explained...
Listen: Will the GNWT’s new Indigenous Employment Policy work? Cabin Radio
December 20, 2024
Multiple Northwest Territories MLAs say the new Indigenous employment policy being rolled out by the NWT government in April gets it wrong. The GNWT says the old affirmative action policy, which prioritized numerous groups including all of those listed above, was not fit for purpose. “Our current policy, although I think people like to peg it as being one that’s for northerners, it’s not,” said Wawzonek, referring to affirmative action. And people ask: ‘Are you hiring?’ And we say we’ve applied the affirmative action policy. This article initially stated the GNWT’s affirmative action policy provides prioritization for Black people among other groups.
Now is not the time to replace N.W.T.’s affirmative action hiring policy, say some MLAs CBC North
December 20, 2024
It will be introduced in April and replace the territory's Affirmative Action Policy which has been in place since 1989. Jane Weyallon Armstrong, MLA for Monfwi, is on the standing committee on government operations. "We told her [Wawzonek] to put a pause on it, wait until we get some more information," Weyallon Armstrong said. Weyallon Armstrong thinks there could have been work done with the old policy instead of getting rid of it completely. It will replace the territory's Affirmative Action Policy from 1989 and come into effect in the spring.
GNWT to launch new hiring policy that focuses on Indigenous recruitment CKLB 101.9
December 18, 2024
...said Mackey. The new policy has been received negatively by some northerners, including Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart and Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins. “The Affirmative Action Policy may never have been perfect, but it has been an essential program for local northern Indigenous people and...
Regulate online gambling, NWT MLAs are told Cabin Radio
December 18, 2024
...are already licensed there could then work with geolocation providers to allow for access from within the Northwest Territories,” she explained. Robert Hawkins, MLA for Yellowknife Centre, asked about the downsides of regulating online gaming. Barber said the most common concerns come from people who are...
New GNWT employment policy prioritizes Indigenous hires Cabin Radio
December 17, 2024
...is to help ensure opportunities for Indigenous employees to grow, thrive and take on leadership roles within the public service,” finance minister Caroline Wawzonek told reporters. A copy of the new policy was not made immediately available to Cabin Radio. Wawzonek said groups other than Indigenous people will...
Can the NWT find a path forward for renewable diesel? Cabin Radio
December 16, 2024
...the more promising opportunities” for reducing emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as transportation and industry. Earlier this year, Shauna Morgan, MLA for Yellowknife North, also called renewable diesel a “game-changer” and said the fuel is a key part of reaching the territory’s net-zero...
N.W.T. uses 20,000 tonnes of wood pellets per year. Here’s why they aren’t made locally CBC North
December 13, 2024
...community in the N.W.T. outside of the Arctic communities have abundant biomass surrounding them, so there's a lot of potential in the N.W.T.," said Julian Morse, the MLA for Frame Lake. "It would be preferable to not even have to worry about the shipping aspect of things if we can get supply chains working...
Health leadership council says it was scrapped without consultation Cabin Radio
December 10, 2024
...authority leadership council being removed in favour of a single public administrator says the change was made without its input. Health minister Lesa Semmler is dismissing the council’s members, who previously served as the equivalent of a board of governors for the NWT’s health authority. In their...
Residents head to polls for hamlet elections in 10 N.W.T. communities CBC North
December 9, 2024
... Angeline Villebrun Derwin Kotchea has been acclaimed as Fort Liard's mayor and seven people are running for six council seats: Michelle Browning Hillary Deneron Mike Gonet Eva Hope Shayla McLeod Kristina Powder Gregory Wilson In Fort McPherson, Mayor Rebecca Blake has been acclaimed. In Fort...
Nutrition North considers expansion to more northern communities Cabin Radio
December 5, 2024
Currently, there are 125 isolated northern communities eligible for the Nutrition North Canada subsidy, which is given to grocery stores to bring down the prices their customers pay for certain foods. On Wednesday, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada director-general Wayne Walsh presented to MLAs about the Nutrition North program alongside representatives of Food Banks Canada. At the Wednesday briefing, Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya asked if Nutrition North plans to expand to all northern communities. Nutrition North has no office in Yellowknife – its staff are located in the Ottawa vicinity. Both Nutrition North and Food Banks Canada have been invited to visit communities in the Sahtu.
Yellowknife developer said Bellanca was going to be affordable housing. Here’s why it won’t be CBC North
November 28, 2024
...taken advantage of. Suri said offering a public-private partnership would improve the state of housing in the North and increase the options. Shauna Morgan, MLA for Yellowknife North and acting chair of the committee, asked Suri what that public-private partnership would actually look like. Suri said...
$375M agreement was a deal done differently Cabin Radio
November 14, 2024
...Just one opposing voice can force a delay. “A lot of effort went into ensuring that the legislation got passed in a very timely manner,” said Jay Macdonald, the NWT’s environment minister, who was responsible for steering the bill through the House. “My cabinet colleagues and my other regular MLA...
How much federally owned housing sits empty in the NWT? Cabin Radio
November 12, 2024
...Chinna nearly three years ago. “With all these new units that are being for RCMP, what are we doing with the old units?” Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA Lesa Semmler asked. “Are we going to absorb them into GNWT and are we going to use those to reduce our public housing waitlist?” Chinna replied that she...
NWT’s film rebate program budget doubling to $1M next year Cabin Radio
November 8, 2024
...budget will be doubled from $500,000 this year to $1 million in 2025-26 and future years, the territory said on Friday. Industry minister Caitlin Cleveland called the expansion “a major milestone.” Music videos and commercials will be supported by the film rebate program for the first time, the...
How should the NWT save money? Cabin Radio
November 7, 2024
...of evaluating programs and initiatives to determine if they still align with priorities or are achieving their respective mandates,” he wrote. Kieron Testart. Ollie Williams/Cabin Radio Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart said he believes it’s not a matter of the territory reducing spending but spending more...
New board members could help reinvent Northwest Territories Power Corporation, experts say CBC North
November 7, 2024
...is recruiting four to eight new members to replace current directors, and also plans to keep at least two government officials on the board. Shauna Morgan, MLA for Yellowknife North, hopes new governance will bring about some needed change. The deputy ministers currently on the board, she says, are not...
In a rare case, an NWT private member’s bill makes change Cabin Radio
November 6, 2024
...unusual source: a bill from a regular MLA that became law. Last month, the Legislative Assembly passed a bill sponsored by Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins to amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. As a result, the NWT government announced on Monday it had increased the student loan limit from...
MLAs pass capital budget despite gripes Cabin Radio
November 5, 2024
...Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely said. The budget ultimately passed with 11 MLAs in favour and Testart, Nerysoo, Robert Hawkins, Julian Morse and Shauna Morgan voting against...
How much carbon tax the NWT is paying and where the money goes Cabin Radio
November 4, 2024
...Taltson and Snare hydro facilities and planning for Fort Providence and Kakisa hydro facilities.” In the legislature last week, Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart quizzed finance minister Caroline Wawzonek on the $14-million surplus, which is far larger than any surplus the GNWT has previously recorded through...
Inuvik, N.W.T., business owners say liquor price hike took them by surprise CBC North
November 4, 2024
... Earlier this week in the Legislative Assembly, Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers asked why the increase is only in Inuvik. Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek replied that the increase is due to a new contract negotiation with the local operator of the liquor...
N.W.T. MLAs to ask auditor general to review territory’s health authority CBC North
November 2, 2024
...voted Thursday in favour of the motion to ask for the audit, with all regular MLAs in support and all cabinet ministers abstaining. Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart introduced the motion, citing the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority's (NTHSSA) growing deficit, the territory's increasing...
Police now work with housing officials to oust traffickers, rowdy tenants from public housing units CKLB 101.9
November 1, 2024
...Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon repeated his call for a fix to the spotty cellular service in Ndilǫ. He questioned Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek about if officials can soon work with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to come up with an emergency backup plan for residents in Ndilǫ in the...
Lithium companies urge N.W.T. MLAs to speed up mining regulatory processes CBC North
November 1, 2024
...Indigenous companies," said Armstrong. The N.W.T. Legislative Assembly building in Yellowknife, on Oct. 27, 2023. (Travis Burke/CBC) Sahtu MLA Daniel McNeely said he supports development, but wanted to hear specific examples of challenges. "Is it taking too long? Is it taking 120 days for a water...
Union attacks GNWT over decision to close Fort Smith’s jail Cabin Radio
November 1, 2024
...temporary stay looks to be coming to an end – and Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins said this week he is concerned about what happens next. (Jay Macdonald, the Thebacha MLA who represents Fort Smith, is a member of cabinet – a role that can limit some ministers’ ability to air constituents’...
N.W.T. assembly passes capital budget despite concerns over priorities CBC North
November 1, 2024
...crisis — and long-term care facilities. The budget passed with cabinet voting in favour, along with MLAs Danny McNeely, Jane Weyallon Armstrong, Kate Reid and Denny Rodgers. Voting against the budget were MLAs Robert Hawkins, Shauna Morgan, Kieron Testart, Julian Morse and George Nerysoo. The finance...
MLAs want auditor general to investigate health authority Cabin Radio
November 1, 2024
... “This can be the government that finally, finally sets healthcare on the right course for the Northwest Territories,” he said. Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse said the “overwhelming message” he had heard from healthcare practitioners is that “they feel their voices are not being heard by...
A spooky serenade for Premier Simpson and cabinet, plus a few other scary stories CKLB 101.9
October 31, 2024
...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...
Could a similar Stanton Renewal Project debacle happen again? CKLB 101.9
October 30, 2024
“Instead of a renovation and expansion, the project now included building a new hospital and renovating the existing hospital to lease it out. If anyone needed to wonder why this government is in such dire financial straits, then look no further to the persistent failures to ensure good money, good value for money, analysis across numerous projects. “Our people are going to be the ones left paying for the increased cost of this project,” she said. All 49 NWT schools, and all junior kindergarten to grade 12 students will have access to the program as needed. “We need a school food program that can teach them the importance of balanced diet and the benefit benefits of nutrition and the values of sustainable respect for the land.
N.W.T. officials meet with Fort Smith jail staff before funding expires next year CBC North
October 30, 2024
...year, and the territorial government says its senior staff is helping employees prepare. In the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek said senior staff with the departments of Finance and Justice met with jail staff to help them understand their options. A partial closure of the...
Aurora College’s polytechnic transformation ‘hasn’t been halted’ Cabin Radio
October 28, 2024
...that needs to be fostered, supported, and that needs to be able to given the time to grow.” She was responding to questions from Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart, who suggested the college needed to be taken back under direct GNWT control. “They’ve been given years to get this done, and they’re still...
N.W.T. gov’t creating team to cut health spending CBC North
October 27, 2024
...Territorial Health Investment Fund. The team's yearly budget will be about $2 million, most of which will go toward salaries. Health Minister Lesa Semmler told MLAs the initiative comes at a time when the Northwest Territories health system is facing "significant financial challenges." The team will...
Treaty interpretations spark disagreements at N.W.T. appeal court over caribou management CBC North
October 25, 2024
...harvest. That plan was approved in 2020 by the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board. However, it was later rejected by then-Environment minister Shane Thompson. Since then, the community and territorial government have been in and out of court to settle the issue. The Bluenose-West caribou herd has...
Yellowknife MLAs release healthcare survey findings Cabin Radio
October 25, 2024
...public complaints about the healthcare system are not falling “on deaf ears,” despite the concerns of two Yellowknife MLAs. Kieron Testart and Robert Hawkins hosted a healthcare town hall in Yellowknife in August and created an online survey calling on residents to share their healthcare experiences. On...
NWT public servants’ morale ‘at rock bottom,’ says MLA and former union leader CKLB 101.9
October 24, 2024
...of 20.7 kilometres of the seasonal Mackenzie Valley Winter Road accessible year-around. Yellowknife Centre Robert Hawkins suggested Health Minister Lesa Semmler had been “quiet quitting,” as the health-care system has so many problem areas that never seem to be remedied. Premier R.J. Simpson, in his...
NWT’s regular MLAs want capital budget to better reflect priorities Cabin Radio
October 24, 2024
...MLAs say they won’t support the NWT’s latest capital budget unless it dedicates more funding to housing and healthcare. Finance minister Caroline Wawzonek tabled the capital estimates for 2025-26 last week, detailing how the government plans to spend $339 million on infrastructure projects in the...
N.W.T. MLAs won’t support capital plan without more money for housing and health care CBC North
October 24, 2024
...fall session, which ends Nov. 1. There are five sitting days left between now and then. Stanton Hospital to review leave policy Health Minister Lesa Semmler fielded questions from multiple members Wednesday on the state of health care in the territory, including difficulties getting appointments, staff...
Going off the deep end arguing for a new all-season pool for Behchokǫ̀ CKLB 101.9
October 23, 2024
...Pool, until the gleaming new pool opens across the parking lot. Here is an exchange between the MLA and Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Vince McKay: Weyallon Armstrong: “When the swimming pool in Edzo burned down, there was insufficient insurance proceeds to rebuild the swimming pool due to...
Deh Cho Bridge repair ‘to cost $7M and be finished by end of year’ Cabin Radio
October 23, 2024
...lanes of the Deh Cho Bridge will finally reopen by the end of 2024, infrastructure minister Caroline Wawzonek said on Tuesday. The bridge, which cost $200 million to build, spans the Mackenzie River just outside Fort Providence, providing a year-round highway link between Yellowknife and the south. Traffic...
N.W.T.’s Deh Cho bridge expected to be repaired by year’s end, to the tune of $7M CBC North
October 23, 2024
...summer , and later pushed to October , but the infrastructure minister said there was a delay in getting the necessary materials up to Yellowknife. Caroline Wawzonek, the minister of infrastructure, said those materials have now been shipped and are expected in early November. She said the bridge should be fully...
Campus of Care move created ‘lasting chaos, inefficiency and burnout,’ says MLA CKLB 101.9
October 22, 2024
...people don’t agree with and don’t like, but this is a new change and they are just recently starting the four teams.” Meanwhile, Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya raised the issue of the Dehcho Bridge stiil reduced to one lane, with a lengthy wait if you catch the automated lights at one end of the structure. ...
For nine years, health authority refused to correct woman’s gender Cabin Radio
October 22, 2024
...issue had been fixed within a week of the woman and her partner bringing the problem to Reid’s attention and the MLA writing to health minister Lesa Semmler. Reid said the couple, both women, had made “multiple attempts” to have the woman’s records corrected before resorting to asking a politician...
N.W.T. MLAs say capital budget doesn’t reflect housing priorities, again CBC North
October 22, 2024
...are also listed in the budget. The waitlist for a public housing unit currently sits at 897 people, according to the territory's housing minister. Shauna Morgan, MLA for Yellowknife North, echoed Morse's concerns. She said the territory needs to embrace its responsibility for public housing, rather than...
New mayors elected in Fort Smith, Fort Simpson and Inuvik, N.W.T. CBC North
October 22, 2024
...Parrott. Vote turnout was 36 per cent in Inuvik. Two mayors kept their jobs after Monday's election. Incumbent Frank Pope was elected over Paulie Chinna in Norman Wells. Pope received 174 votes to Chinna's 48. Pope has been advocating for months for the territorial and federal governments to step in...
Dana Fergusson and Les Wright win mayoral elections Cabin Radio
October 21, 2024
...Fred Daniels’ 301. In Fort Simpson, village councillor Wright won 239 votes to incumbent Sean Whelly’s 142. Pope defeated former Sahtu MLA Paulie Chinna in Norman Wells by 174 votes to Chinna’s 48. Alongside current Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely, Pope had been a central figure in a weeks-long campaign...
Inuvik, Fort Smith and Fort Simpson elect new mayors Cabin Radio
October 21, 2024
...was 64.9 percent. Fort Smith’s election results, as supplied by the town. In Fort Smith, the councillors joining Fergusson will be Adam Bathe, Connie Benwell, Mike Couvrette, Karl Cox, Patricia Heaton, Al Karasiuk, Mike Keizer and Leonard Tuckey. Inuvik’s election results, as supplied by the town. In...
MLAs highlight use of traditional knowledge in N.W.T. firefighting efforts CBC North
October 21, 2024
Traditional knowledge plays 'big role': ministerThe question was part of a larger conversation around the use of Indigenous traditional knowledge in fighting fires and forest management. "Traditional knowledge plays a big role in how we fight fire in the Northwest Territories," said Jay Macdonald, minister of Environment and Climate Change. "Over the last number of years … it was noticeable that you could see we were starting to lose that traditional knowledge." During Monday's committee meeting he said the department is working to have better training to transfer traditional knowledge. Gravel said the department is also considering mitigation measures that draw upon traditional knowledge: controlled (or prescribed) burns around communities.
Drug-fuelled violence in Fort McPherson has MLA pleading for help CKLB 101.9
October 21, 2024
...the end of the day, reports indicate MLAs did side with the NWT Legislative Assembly’s Integrity Commissioner, and fined Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon $2,500 for breaching a provision of the Code of Conduct. Edjericon was also reprimanded for a “continuous campaign harassing” the nursing staff...
NWT legislature reprimands, fines Edjericon $2,500 Cabin Radio
October 21, 2024
...Monday, MLAs voted in favour of formally reprimanding Edjericon and fining him $2,500 with no discussion of the matter. Following the vote, speaker Shane Thompson encouraged MLAs with any future questions regarding the code of conduct to reach out to the integrity commissioner. “I had him on speed dial in...
N.W.T. MLAs reprimand colleague, fine him $2,500 for trying to get nurse fired CBC North
October 21, 2024
...Edjericon and fine him $2,500 for breaking the MLA code of conduct and trying to get a nurse fired. Monday's vote, moved by Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan, passed in the legislature Monday with no discussion. The vote comes after the N.W.T.'s integrity commissioner issued a report on Oct. 10 saying...
GNWT donates $150K to Norman Wells food bank Cabin Radio
October 21, 2024
...to the community. “The community of Norman Wells has shown incredible resilience in the face of rising costs and supply chain disruptions,” Vince McKay, the communities minister, said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor this situation closely and adjust our efforts to ensure families...
GNWT wants federal immigration cap raised from 300 to 500 Cabin Radio
October 21, 2024
...by the early summer. The application window for that stream won’t reopen until January 2025. In the legislature on Thursday, employment minister Caitlin Cleveland said the NWT had asked the federal government to lift the cap from 300 to 500 applicants next year. Cleveland said she expects to hear back by the...
Noise, partying and deaths at Tuk home reported to rental office Cabin Radio
October 21, 2024
...complexes. “There’s likely about seven units that still require repairs,” Rodgers said in the legislature as he pressed housing minister Lucy Kuptana to find more money to speed up that process. “And I say this because we do have some folks living in our apartment building, that Housing leases,...
N.W.T.’s new net-zero climate target necessary for its mining future says MLA CBC North
October 19, 2024
...emissions by 2050 is "exciting," and something that will need to be taken seriously if the territory wants mining to be part of its future. Shauna Morgan pointed out in the Legislative Assembly on Friday that De Beers and Rio Tinto have both already made commitments to making their mining operations...
Cash-strapped GNWT to ask Ottawa to raise $1.8 M debt limit CKLB 101.9
October 18, 2024
...unwillingness to offer support and overly bureaucratic processes” at the institution. Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart, asked Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland how much more time is she prepared to give Aurora college to fail? “What is she doing to help the college succeed, saying that it’s not my...
State memorial service for former Commissioner Tony Whitford tomorrow CKLB 101.9
October 18, 2024
...Whitford Building, which would be a fitting honor for a man for a building that was built to give people hope and dignity.” Minister of Housing Lucy Kuptana said she needs to examine the naming process and will discuss the request with cabinet. As a large number of mourners are expected, an overflow...
Imperial should ‘step up,’ minister says as MLAs debate Sahtu fuel crisis Cabin Radio
October 18, 2024
...they will leave and they will not look back, because they can’t. It’s not that they want to leave. They can’t stay,” said Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart. “We have no choice,” said Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers. “Would it be great to be able to get that funding from the federal...
MLAs debate financial relief for N.W.T’s Sahtu region, gripped by affordability crisis CBC North
October 18, 2024
...to step in with more support, as the town grapples with increasing costs in the wake of barge cancellations. (Julie Plourde/Radio-Canada) Shauna Morgan, MLA for Yellowknife North, said that although Imperial is incurring additional costs by flying fuel into the region, there's no way to know whether...
‘We are in a dire situation right now,’ says Deputy Premier Caroline Wawzonek CKLB 101.9
October 17, 2024
...Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart. At the time of this posting last evening, the debate was ongoing, with Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure Caroline Wawzonek saying that everyone, including cabinet, supports Norman Wells, and that it is “a crisis, it’s a hub community … this is going to affect the...
Ex-Aurora College research chair describes chaos, lack of planning behind the scenes CBC North
October 17, 2024
...College's board of governors and its president, Angela James, for comment. No one was available by time of publication. CBC also reached out to Caitlin Cleveland, minister of Education, Culture and Employment, who was also unavailable. A ministerial spokesperson said operations, including the transformation...
N.W.T. gov’t commits to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 CBC North
October 17, 2024
...N.W.T. government has committed to reaching a more ambitious climate target. Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek laid out the territory's promise to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 from both industrial and non-industrial emitters in a budget document tabled — without any fanfare — at the Legislative...
Infrastructure top of mind as N.W.T. MLAs head into fall session CBC North
October 17, 2024
...that it offers." The facility is scheduled to be completed by 2026. Addressing energy needs The capital budget process is especially hectic for Caroline Wawzonek as she's both minister of infrastructure and finance. In wearing both hats for the past year, she says she's come to realize how complex the...
Peter Clarkson running for mayor of Inuvik Cabin Radio
October 10, 2024
...believes the Town of Inuvik can better work with the Gwich’in, Inuvialuit, Inuvik Native Band, Métis and the town’s two MLAs, Lesa Semmler and Denny Rodgers, to “share information and look at what some of the overall priorities for the community are.” He also wants to find ways to help local...
Sahtu Secretariat annual meeting kicks off in Fort Good Hope, N.W.T. CBC North
September 24, 2024
...at the meeting. (Luke Carroll/CBC) The need for an all-season road to the community was another subject that will be discussed, McNeely said. Lesa Semmler, N.W.T. health minister, along with Jay Macdonald, the minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Danny McNeely, Sahtu MLA, are all in...
Northerners remember Tony Whitford Cabin Radio
September 16, 2024
...awards during his lifetime and was inducted into the Order of the NWT in 2016. He was also an honourary captain with the Royal Canadian Navy. Julian Morse, the MLA for Frame Lake, said he first met Whitford while working as a page in the Legislative Assembly where Whitford was the sergeant at arms at...
Homeless encampment in Yellowknife to come down starting today CKLB 101.9
September 9, 2024
...questioned if enough is being done to allow people to stay in their home communities, either with shelters but preferably through more housing. George Nerysoo is MLA for Mackenzie Delta. “To hit the root of this problem has to come to the communities, because I know the people there. My chief knows the...
Hay River’s fish plant to be formally opened on Tuesday Cabin Radio
September 8, 2024
...provided by an independent consultant, before it’ll consider moving plant management from FFMC to the fishers. Last year, then-industry minister Caroline Wawzonek said she had set a three-year timeline from the plant’s opening in which she hoped management would be transferred to the fishers. In the...
N.W.T. gov’t is failing students with cut to financial aid, MLA says CBC North
September 5, 2024
N.W.T. MLA Kieron Testart says the territorial government's decision to end a student financial aid incentive is short-sighted and there are better ways to find budget savings. "The GNWT, quite frankly, has forgotten that it serves the people of the Northwest Territories," Testart said. "It has become a...
Minister says axing ‘fast-forward’ bonus may keep people in NWT Cabin Radio
September 5, 2024
...wrote on Wednesday evening. “Moves like this make it easier to invest in other programs that further support NWT residents.” Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart said he did not support removal of the northern bonus. “Budget 2023 added two assistant deputy minister positions. One of those is worth just...
N.W.T. gov’t cuts loan forgiveness incentive for returning students CBC North
September 4, 2024
...away," he said. "You certainly cannot get the sort of education I wanted by staying home." After the government announced the cut, Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart said in a Facebook statement he does not support the decision. "The N.W.T. needs a strong workforce [and] we need to continue to support students...
After report on 2023 wildfires, calls for N.W.T. gov’t to invest more in firefighters CBC North
August 29, 2024
...the motion calling for a public inquiry into the 2023 wildfire season, also told CBC she believes a full inquiry is still needed. Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya first brought forward the motion calling for a public inquiry in 2023. (Julie Plourde/Radio-Canada ) She said she believes it would be a better...
Residents near encampment needed more support, MLA says Cabin Radio
August 23, 2024
...which the encampment must be gone. What happens next “takes a number of us and it’s going to require a lot of coordination,” deputy premier Caroline Wawzonek told CBC North Trailbreaker host Jared Monkman on Friday. “This is an encampment that will last only a short period of time but it needs to be a...
At a health town hall, patients see nuance even as they endure pain Cabin Radio
August 23, 2024
...this time is really valuable to me,” one woman said through tears. Residents at the town hall, organized by Yellowknife MLAs Robert Hawkins and Kieron Testart, broadly spoke to outline similar concerns and ask how coming to the town hall and talking would help the situation. There are committees to...
NWT restrictions on physicians leave patients ‘really vulnerable’ Cabin Radio
August 22, 2024
...sees them as an enemy. “Their job becomes harder and harder because they’re not being listened to.” Advocacy and fear of ramifications MLAs Kieron Testart and Robert Hawkins are hosting a healthcare town hall from 6-8pm on Thursday at Yellowknife’s Baker Community Centre. The two MLAs have...
N.W.T. gov’t and union met to decide use of agency nurses, as health-care staff feel strain CBC North
August 21, 2024
...the N.W.T." 'These people are not being heard' Kieron Testart, MLA for Range Lake, says the health system is "very near a breaking point." He and Robert Hawkins, MLA for Yellowknife Centre, are organizing a "town hall style constituency meeting" on Thursday evening on the state of health care. He said its...
Premier, ministers, mayor meet over Yellowknife encampment Cabin Radio
August 20, 2024
... In a Tuesday news release, City Hall said Mayor Rebecca Alty had met with Premier RJ Simpson, housing minister Lucy Kuptana, health minister Lesa Semmler and communities minister Vince McKay late last week “to discuss the recent tent encampment established in downtown Yellowknife.” The city said...
Enterprise rail yard sees ‘bigger picture’ in Hay River line closure Cabin Radio
August 9, 2024
...that CN Rail will take a look at their entire capital envelope and consider whether or not this can find a home in it,” infrastructure minister Caroline Wawzonek was quoted as saying in an interview with the CBC this week. “Without this, by forcing communities, our community governments to be finding...
N.W.T. government officials, Yellowknife mayor respond to evacuation re-entry emails CBC North
August 6, 2024
...Emergency Management Act, Yellowknife has the same legal authority as all the other communities under an emergency. This was something flagged by Shauna Morgan, MLA for Yellowknife North, months ago. Alty said she wants to see a discussion about recognizing Yellowknife is different from other communities. ...
Breaking down some of the big issues with NWT medical travel Cabin Radio
July 8, 2024
Slow decisions, denied escorts, and a lack of funding are some of the medical travel issues routinely raised. The territory’s medical travel policy covers transportation costs to get people from one place to another for necessary medical care. When none of these insurance providers are eligible, the NWT’s Medical Travel Policy is the payor of last resort. To have your medical travel covered by the policy, you must:be an NWT resident;have a valid NWT health card;have a medical referral from within the NWT; andhave approval from the Medical Travel Office prior to travel. The GNWT is responsible for administering its own NWT Medical Travel Policy, and also shoulders much of the administrative work for the federal NIHB.
NWT signs memo on ‘northern economic corridors’ with Alberta Cabin Radio
July 4, 2024
...will also “jointly advocate to the federal government for nation-building projects along our economic corridors.” NWT infrastructure minister Caroline Wawzonek called the memo a “significant milestone in the relationship” between the territory and Alberta. “This is an opportunity to support the flow...
Legal aid concerned about children’s lawyer budget cuts Cabin Radio
July 4, 2024
...against the cut. “When we have folks in legal aid pleading with us not to cut that office, I think we should listen to them,” Great Slave MLA Kate Reid told the legislature the day the budget was passed. Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan told Cabin Radio cutting the senior lawyer role removes...
Edzo Elders spend their pension on Housing NWT arrears Cabin Radio
July 3, 2024
...has called on the territorial government to forgive the debts of Elders and residential school survivors. In the legislature last year, fellow MLA Caitlin Cleveland said more than 900 residents owed more than $13 million to Housing NWT in arrears. Then-MLA Kevin O’Reilly said Weyallon Armstrong’s proposal...
Will Great Slave Lake ever be renamed? It could be a while yet, says N.W.T. minister CBC North
July 3, 2024
...minister R.J. Simpson said the process was "well underway" as far as Great Slave Lake goes. In November of that year, then-Great Slave MLA Katrina Nokleby introduced and later withdrew a bill to change the name of her electoral district. Cleveland said the territorial government received a request to...
Fix for low-water shipping woes could be ‘lighter than air,’ committee hears CKLB 101.9
June 28, 2024
...deliveries disrupted up and down the Mackenzie River, alternatives to shipping are lacking at present, says Minister of Finance and Infrastructure Caroline Wawzonek. The senior minister told a committee hearing on Wednesday how she has been pitched alternative cargo transportation concepts, everything from...
Anti-Indigenous racism is ‘blatantly obvious’ in Health and Social Services, says Minister Lesa Semmler CKLB 101.9
June 26, 2024
...“blatantly obvious,” racism faced by First Nations, Metis and Inuit patients and clients when dealing with Health and Social Services staff. Lesa Semmler is a former nurse in the Beaufort Delta and now is the NWT’s Health Minister. She told the Standing Committee om Social Development there is an...
‘You send an Elder to the concrete jungle and expect them to survive’ Cabin Radio
June 26, 2024
...burning Indigenous staff out, and protecting them from the very racism we are trying to eliminate for Indigenous patients.” Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart raised concern that short-term or temporary staff do not receive this training as part of their onboarding and may not receive it during brief...
N.W.T. considers making producers deal with used oil, tires and electrical items CBC North
June 25, 2024
...have some form of EPR program already, and the Yukon is working on one for common blue-bin items as well as paint, waste oil and antifreeze. Jay Macdonald, the N.W.T.'s environment minister, told the Legislative Assembly earlier this month his department was considering EPR for used oil, tires and...
Yellowknife lab changes ’caused new problems rather than solving one’ Cabin Radio
June 20, 2024
...that are going to override their capacity to engage in this process.” ‘The process is going to continue the way it is’ Health minister Lesa Semmler told the legislature “there are always some difficulties” when a new process rolls out. While the minister said she would not review the new...
Yesterday’s Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę and GNWT bilateral in Yellowknife My Yellow Knife Now
June 19, 2024
...in Yellowknife, Premier R.J. Simpson, Ministers Caroline Wawzonek, Caitlin Cleveland, Lucy Kuptana, Jay Macdonald, Vince McKay, and Lesa Semmler convened with the Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government’s Ɂekw’ahtı̨dǝ́ Danny Gaudet, Ɂekw’ahtı̨ Raymond Taneton, and Délı̨nę...
Wildfire near Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., still being held at bay; territory to hold fire briefing CBC North
June 17, 2024
...at 12 MT. Fort Good Hope Chief Collin Pierrot, Environment and Climate Change Minister Jay Macdonald and Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Vince McKay are expected to be in attendance. You can watch a livestream of the update...