Latest Election News

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When will the NWT’s new public safety legislation kick in? Cabin Radio
May 30, 2025
...in the House later in 2025, Macdonald said. Macdonald provided the update on timelines in response to questions from Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers. Rodgers is also interested in updating the Residential Tenancies Act, which governs relations between landlords and tenants, “to give that some...
Jordan’s Principle funding shortfalls fail students with loss of teaching assistants CKLB 101.9
May 29, 2025
...within the federal government that we cannot afford to take on this program should they choose not to continue it,” she said. Health Minister Lesa Semmler had to explain a flubbed roll-out of new Extended Health Benefit criteria, which saw seniors having to pay out of pocket for medicines. “In the...
Impacts of Jordan’s principle funding cuts already evident in N.W.T. community CBC North
May 29, 2025
... In 2024, the education department funded 127 support assistants. The other 205 were funded by Jordan's Principle. Edjericon asked Caitlin Cleveland, N.W.T. Minister of Education, how she is working with community school boards and First Nations to restore funding. Cleveland said she has a close...
Northern ministers to lobby Ottawa over Jordan’s Principle changes Cabin Radio
May 29, 2025
...Nunavut and Yukon will tell Ottawa changes to Jordan’s Principle funding must be reassessed as the territories cannot make up the difference, Caitlin Cleveland said on Wednesday. Jordan’s Principle is a legal obligation the federal government is required to fulfill to ensure that First Nations children...
Hydro plant back to full power after 18 months of ‘unknown’ faults Cabin Radio
May 29, 2025
...joint energy and climate change strategy that will address reliability of power generation in the territory, among other issues. Jay Macdonald and Caroline Wawzonek said a joint strategy will arrive in 2026. “Our power infrastructure is ageing and increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,”...
MLAs vote to examine tightening their social media rules Cabin Radio
May 29, 2025
...a fairly routine basis in the House, attempts to form a quasi-party among regular MLAs – was barely mentioned. Environment and justice minister Jay Macdonald came closest to addressing the broader atmosphere of the House, which another MLA last week privately described as “pungent.” “How did we get...
Coast guard heads out to determine Mackenzie’s 2025 navigability Cabin Radio
May 28, 2025
...Canadian Coast Guard has gone out today to assess the water levels at the mouth of the Mackenzie River,” communities and infrastructure minister Vince McKay told the legislature on Wednesday afternoon. The coast guard places navigation buoys in the Mackenzie each summer. Last year, that work couldn’t...
GNWT to launch ‘third-party investigation’ over school lead tests Cabin Radio
May 28, 2025
...[I] was able to ensure that drinking and cooking water was no longer able to be used,” Cleveland said, answering questions from Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart. “I have provided direction to the GNWT – because it is multiple departments – to do a third-party investigation so we can understand the...
Minister starts investigation into ‘unacceptable’ school lead situation Cabin Radio
May 28, 2025
...minister Caitlin Cleveland says she’s launching an immediate independent investigation into the circumstances around tests that found elevated lead in the water at two Yellowknife schools. In a statement released at 9pm on Wednesday, Cleveland said she was “deeply concerned by the recent test results...
N.W.T. minister heading to Ottawa next week to follow up on nominee program changes CBC North
May 28, 2025
...for a two year N.W.T. specific timeframe and to enhance support for settlement services. These are all fantastic pieces," said Great Slave MLA Kate Reid. Cleveland discussed she has already expressed the issue to the federal government by letter. Reid added that she has heard concerns about the...
Residents, downtown homeless campers ‘all have to get along,’ says Premier R.J. Simpson CKLB 101.9
May 28, 2025
...Lake North school received news that drinking water in those schools was higher than allowed under Health Canada’s guidelines. Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland said all school water systems were tested, and two of the schools came back as needing confirmation testing. The Departments of Education and...
Avens criticizes GNWT over $400K related to evacuation expenses Cabin Radio
May 28, 2025
...made reference to “benefits that were given to employees over and above … and so that’s why they didn’t qualify.” Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins, presenting Avens’ case, said “over and above” would be a fair complaint about some expenses if Avens had been given a straightforward set of...
Cleveland to lobby in Ottawa for more nominee program slots Cabin Radio
May 28, 2025
...those questions,” Cleveland said, adding the federal election may have been the reason for Ottawa’s lack of reply. On Tuesday, Great Slave MLA Kate Reid asked the minister whether the redesigned program will attempt to avoid a scenario where potential applicants are “left in limbo.” If the...
Encampment, residents and GNWT ‘have to get along’ Cabin Radio
May 27, 2025
...that’s part of the process and outcome that I’m looking for,” he said. Residents being ‘held hostage,’ MLA says Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins wants the encampment to move. In emails sent to ministers last week, Hawkins said he had received complaints about the encampment from some...
YK school lead tests were first of their kind, minister says Cabin Radio
May 27, 2025
...lead levels beyond Health Canada guidelines. In the legislature on Tuesday afternoon, Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan asked education minister Caitlin Cleveland when the two schools’ water was last tested for lead in this manner. While communities’ drinking water is routinely tested, Cleveland...
Morgan’s nurses’ bargaining bill passes second reading Cabin Radio
May 27, 2025
...affirming their shared commitment to advancing “thoughtful and effective legislative amendments” to the Public Service Act. Finance minister Caroline Wawzonek. Ollie Williams/Cabin Radio Finance minister Caroline Wawzonek said Morgan’s bill touches on an issue that is “important and deeply felt”...
Firefighters and MLAs draft bill to access cancer treatment and PTSD supports My Yellow Knife Now
May 27, 2025
...local firefighters at the city of Yellowknife’s fire hall including Christian Bittrolff, Local 2890 President, MLAs Robert Hawkins and Kieron Testart announced new legislation geared at protecting first responders. They were joined by Yellowknife City Councillor Garett Cochrane, and Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh...
Testart plans to introduce first responder compensation legislation Cabin Radio
May 26, 2025
...want you fighting the wrong fight. We want you to fight the type of fight of the protection of our community and certainly for your families.” Richard Edjericon, the MLA for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh who also supports the proposed legislation, added it will help volunteer firefighters in NWT communities. He said he...
First responders shouldn’t have to prove jobs caused illness to WSCC, says MLA CBC North
May 26, 2025
...Territories MLA Kieron Testart is proposing a private members bill that would make it easier for first responders in the territory to access workers compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder, cancers and heart disease. At a press conference Monday, Testart said he'll table a private members bill...
GNWT to allow homeless encampments this summer on Commissioner’s land CKLB 101.9
May 26, 2025
...a parking lot beside the Aspen Apartments, which was closed pending renovations this year into affordable/transitional housing. Great Slave MLA Kate Reid told an Assembly committee of utility thefts, open sex acts and drug deals, and public defecation — the latter mostly in the first dozen days...
MLAs turn up volume in NWT Assembly; Speaker’s temper blows CKLB 101.9
May 25, 2025
...work together on that.” Edjericon withdrew his comments. Thompson cut time for Oral Questions short. Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland told the Assembly: “The Act, as I have indicated before, the language in it, does need to be updated. It wasn’t drafted long ago under the...
Shauna Morgan introduces nurses’ collective bargaining bill Cabin Radio
May 25, 2025
...the UNW/PSAC remain fully committed to advancing thoughtful and effective legislative amendments,” read the statement, signed by finance minister Caroline Wawzonek, UNW president Gayla Thunstrom and PSAC regional executive vice-president Josée-Anne Spirito. “We believe that a collaborative approach,...
Tin Can Hill won’t be a territorial park. How about a city park? Cabin Radio
May 24, 2025
...MLA Jack Penney urged the territorial government to turn Tin Can Hill into a territorial park when Youth Parliament convened. His adult equivalent, Kate Reid, gave Penney’s statement a second airing in the legislature on Thursday and asked tourism minister Caitlin Cleveland about the prospect of Tin Can...
‘Colonial mindset’ preventing return of child’s remains to her community, says N.W.T. MLA CBC North
May 23, 2025
... Edjericon said that he was "saddened" by Cleveland's response and said that government policies were overriding treaties and Indigenous values. Caroline Wawzonek, acting as premier in R.J. Simpson's absence, called a point of order on those comments. She said Edjericon had overstepped and made inferences...
Premier says sorry to residents over NWT’s 2023 fire season Cabin Radio
May 23, 2025
...who had terrible experiences. Many of us had bad experiences. We’re all coming to terms with it,” Simpson said when asked by Great Slave MLA Kate Reid if he would apologize for what residents endured. Many thousands of people were forced from their homes, some for a month or more. Residents have...
Testart calls on minister to act on Fort Simpson school issues Cabin Radio
May 23, 2025
...Authority and Dehcho Divisional Education Council. Fort Simpson is part of the Nahendeh electoral district represented by Speaker of the House Shane Thompson, whose role dictates that he cannot raise this kind of contentious issue in the House in a way other MLAs can. Earlier in May, Testart wrote on...
MLAs in emotional exchanges over residential school burial sites Cabin Radio
May 22, 2025
...the bounds” and was mischaracterizing both the minister’s motives and the work that had taken place to find a solution. Speaker of the House Shane Thompson called a recess, after which Edjericon rose to state in part: “It is important that Indigenous people be allowed to call out colonial policies,...
MLA calls for regulation of NWT counsellors and psychotherapists Cabin Radio
May 22, 2025
...to provide safe care. Why should we not hold mental health professions to the same standards or similar standards?” Morse asked. Health minister Lesa Semmler said her department’s efforts are focused on legislative work related to professionals in fields that are already regulated. “We are not...
Confederation, diamonds and cargo up for discussion as Assembly returns CKLB 101.9
May 22, 2025
...they bring heard from a couple of MLAs who questioned the plan. In the Assembly, Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan asked Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek to, “explain whether the commitment to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain operations represents any change whatsoever from the status...
Protests against Danielle Smith merge outside NWT legislature Cabin Radio
May 22, 2025
...Network’s rally. Emily Blake/Cabin Radio The Northern Mosaic Network recently penned an open letter to NWT Premier RJ Simpson and health minister Lesa Semmler, highlighting concerns with Bill 26 and increasing transphobia. The letter calls on Simpson and Semmler to outline how they plan to address those...
Legislative Assembly expected to address what MLAs say is “healthcare crisis” My Yellow Knife Now
May 21, 2025
...Legislative Assembly began its seven day spring sitting today in the city of Yellowknife. On May 8 MLAs Robert Hawkins, Richard Edjericon, and Kieron Testart called on GNWT to “take responsibility and act immediately” to address the crisis. In a joint announcement, MLAs Hawkins, Edjericon and Testart...
Simpson faces Smith questions as western premiers meet in NWT Cabin Radio
May 21, 2025
...working toward that end.” Minister says ‘alternate pathways’ in place Also on Wednesday, Great Slave MLA Kate Reid asked health minister Lesa Semmler about supports for trans residents of the territory. Alberta law now bars anyone aged under 16 in the province from receiving hormone therapy and...
Health care, wildfire report in spotlight as N.W.T. MLAs begin 7-day spring sitting CBC North
May 21, 2025
... "Even if they can't be implemented immediately, we need to have a commitment that those are going to be worked on," Testart said. Health Minister Lesa Semmler has pushed back on characterizations that the Stanton emergency room is on the verge of closure, and Premier R.J. Simpson has spoken out in support...
Inuvik passes motion to open town liquor store on Sundays Cabin Radio
May 20, 2025
...store’s hours of operation for the summer, including some opening hours on Sundays. On April 29, the town received a letter from finance minister Caroline Wawzonek – whose department oversees the management of liquor in the NWT – asking for comments or concerns about the town liquor store’s request for...
Plan for healthcare change comes with promise to ‘do something’ Cabin Radio
May 16, 2025
...Time and again, Florizone and health minister Lesa Semmler have insisted that will not happen. But under questioning from Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan, Florizone acknowledged a major reason the emergency room’s doors are open this coming weekend is the sacrifice made by the few staff it has. ...
Health staff gave up long weekend plans to keep Yellowknife ER open, official says CBC North
May 16, 2025
...work plan. (N.W.T. Legislative Assembly/Youtube) Incredible sacrifices amid systemic failures, MLA says Later in the briefing on Friday, MLA Shauna Morgan again raised the subject of staffing in the Stanton emergency room and said the physicians keeping it open are already being overworked. "Ever...
Nurses’ survey records support for separate collective agreement Cabin Radio
May 13, 2025
...Yellowknife from 5pm this Friday. That meeting appears likely to focus on nurses’ representation as well as broader issues. Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan is expected to introduce a private member’s bill this month that, if passed, would allow NWT nurses to pursue their own collective agreements. ...
N.W.T. premier supports minister amid criticisms of territory’s health care CBC North
May 9, 2025
...of not taking her role seriously and threatened to oust her from the job. In a news release Thursday, MLAs Kieron Testart, Robert Hawkins and Richard Edjericon shared a list of actions they want to see taken to improve health care, including negotiating licence-sharing with Nunavut and Alberta to speed...
Premier backs Semmler as 3 MLAs float idea of removing her Cabin Radio
May 9, 2025
...she recently appointed to replace a scrapped nine-person health authority leadership council. In a Thursday news release, Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart, Yellowknife Centre’s Robert Hawkins and Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh’s Richard Edjericon demanded “immediate action” from the GNWT on a range of...
Lack of rent control in N.W.T. to be reassessed this year, minister says CBC North
May 6, 2025
...in small communities are typically occupied by essential workers such as teachers and healthcare workers or community members. Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana said increasing the rents was a "tough but necessary decision" in a statement to CBC. She said the adjustment was crucial to maintain fairness in...
Yellowknife youth MLAs focus on Frame Lake, Tin Can Hill Cabin Radio
May 3, 2025
...Liyah Yakeleya-Grymaloski, left. Photo: Robert Hawkins Elsewhere, Kam Lake youth MLA Liyah Yakeleya-Grymaloski – stepping into education minister Caitlin Cleveland’s shoes for the week – praised the NWT’s recent adoption of the BC curriculum. Range Lake’s Tendesai Mufandaedza described her creation of...
How the NWT’s youth parliament just voted on drugs Cabin Radio
May 2, 2025
...Parliament. For an afternoon, they acted like real MLAs in the legislature: they made statements and debated motions, all with Speaker of the House Shane Thompson presiding. From left: youth MLAs Leanne Karembera, Emma Wilgosh, Areeba Amir and Jack Penney. Ollie Williams/Cabin Radio Thursday’s opening...
N.W.T. doctors say pay hike for locum physicians a good start CBC North
May 1, 2025
...roll out in four phases through December 2025, including research, site visits, and community engagement. 'A lot of talk,' MLA says Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart expressed frustration at Thursday's briefing, saying he wants to see results. "We're just not seeing actions yet. We have a lot of talk. We don't...
‘It’s going to hit people really hard’: Housing N.W.T. hiking rent by hundreds of dollars for some units CBC North
May 1, 2025
...legislative assembly. Some city and territorial officials argued that a cap would hurt the market and therefore fewer new units might be built. Jay Macdonald is the territorial justice minister and would be responsible for any changes made to the N.W.T. Residential Tenancy Act. CBC News requested an...
‘You hope there’s enough interest that the Arctic is still a priority’ Cabin Radio
April 30, 2025
...think the message is very clear. We all stand united as Canadians for Canada – and Canadians were choosing the best.” Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins said he will make every effort to draw Alty’s attention to the Slave Geological Province highway, Taltson hydro expansion, regulatory issues...
Defence lawyer calls for improvements to NWT legal aid Cabin Radio
April 28, 2025
...RJ Simpson said he believes the NWT’s legal aid program is the second most generous in Canada behind Nunavut in terms of the services it covers. (Jay Macdonald has been responsible for the justice portfolio since a cabinet shuffle in March.) At that briefing, Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo questioned...
More than 100 attend NWT nominee program town hall Cabin Radio
April 24, 2025
...their application, a redraw will select candidates from that pool. Earlier this month, Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins and Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart said the territory was being offered an extra 150 slots by Ottawa in exchange for accepting 50 refugees. The two – who were the hosts of...
Foreign workers in N.W.T. say they can’t wait much longer for answers, after Nominee Program cuts CBC North
April 23, 2025
...back," said Testart Tuesday. Transcripts from the last sitting of the legislature show Testart questioned Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister Caitlin Cleveland in March about that proposal. At the time, Cleveland was waiting to hear more details from the federal government about the deal, including how...
Is the mine bailout a misguided ‘hail mary’ or a necessary jolt? Cabin Radio
April 23, 2025
...you need a really good jolt to maybe hear the message that’s been there.” NWT finance minister Caroline Wawzonek has just agreed to give three diamond mines an $11-million tax break plus access to another $4 million once reserved for emissions reduction projects. In exchange, she wants those...
Diamond mines to receive ‘targeted’ financial relief from territorial government CKLB 101.9
April 22, 2025
...mine access. This includes exploring tolling options to offset construction and maintenance costs. Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister Caitlin Cleveland, stated in the released that new mines are on the horizon, but most are still a few years away. “This support is intended to help bridge that gap...
NWT commits millions to help prop up its diamond mines Cabin Radio
April 22, 2025
...the Diavik diamond mine. Aastha Sethi/Cabin Radio “This is about protecting our economy from sudden shock,” said territorial finance minister Caroline Wawzonek in a statement. “The diamond sector has been central to the Northwest Territories’ economy for decades, and we have a responsibility to act...
Inuvik to hold appreciation event for first responders Cabin Radio
April 15, 2025
...North return tickets between Inuvik and Edmonton. The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Inuvik Community Corporation, NorthMart and Inuvik MLAs Denny Rodgers and Lesa Semmler are contributing to the event. More broadly, this week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The City of Yellowknife...
Hawkins and Testart to hold nominee program town hall Cabin Radio
April 10, 2025
...a time when our economy is already in a precarious position.” Both the federal government and the NWT’s minister responsible for immigration, Caitlin Cleveland, have said discussions are under way that involve how asylum seekers arriving in Canada are handled. Ottawa has said it is asking all provinces and...
N.W.T. Chamber of Mines suggests tax relief for territory’s struggling diamond mines CBC North
April 8, 2025
...the negatives," she wrote. N.W.T. ministers meet with the mines According to the N.W.T.'s ministerial activities advisory, Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland met with the three diamond mines virtually on April 2. In an email to CBC News, Cleveland said the...
N.W.T. asks regulator to intervene in CN Rail’s decision to scrap rail line CBC North
April 7, 2025
...follow a three-year process to shut down a section of track. After a year on the list, CN can attempt to sell it. Former infrastructure minister Caroline Wawzonek said earlier that the territory wouldn't fund the repair, as the $15 million needed to fix the 30-kilometre stretch "isn't an appropriate use of...
Changes in GNWT’s minister duties and leadership announced My Yellow Knife Now
March 31, 2025
...Minister Responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, and Minister Responsible for the Public Utilities Board. Minister Lucy Kuptana will continue her role as Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories. Minister Kuptana will now oversee the NWT Homelessness Strategy,...
N.W.T. premier creates new ministry for ‘major, nation-building’ infrastructure projects CBC North
March 31, 2025
...on as finance minister as well minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. She is also the deputy premier. Minister Jay Macdonald will take over the roles of Minister of Justice and Government House Leader, previously held by the premier. He will also continue as Minister of...
NWT premier announces cabinet shuffle Cabin Radio
March 31, 2025
...Board. Responsibility for the territory’s homelessness strategy will move from the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs to Housing NWT. Lucy Kuptana is the minister responsible for the housing corporation while Simpson is the minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs. Monday’s release...
What NWT auto dealers make of the looming car tariffs Cabin Radio
March 31, 2025
...she asked, “who do we expect is going to be using the charging corridor that we have spent a whole bunch of money on?” Infrastructure minister Caroline Wawzonek responded: “While I can’t necessarily provide any additional public dollars in this budget to sway people if they don’t want to spend the...
N.W.T. scrapping consumer carbon tax following federal cancellation CBC North
March 19, 2025
...of the tax since it was introduced saying it makes life less affordable for residents, especially those in smaller communities. Yellowknife MLA Kieron Testart went as far as introducing a bill to repeal the carbon tax, which passed second reading and is in a committee review stage. On March 13 he again...
Will the NWT’s forgotten ferry ever make a comeback? Cabin Radio
March 17, 2025
... However, asked by Yakeleya if the Merv Hardie is salvageable and could be returned to service somewhere in the system, infrastructure minister Caroline Wawzonek appeared to rule out any comeback. The GNWT “doesn’t have specific plans to attempt to refurbish the Merv Hardie or to get it back up to...
MLA drafts bill that would allow nurses to bargain separately Cabin Radio
March 15, 2025
...already being spent. Just two of roughly 95 bills that became law in the 19th Assembly were private member’s bills. In the 20th Assembly, Robert Hawkins, successfully used a private member’s bill last year to convince cabinet to increase student loan limits. ‘The provinces are catching up’ ...
N.W.T. MLAs to discuss separate collective agreement for nurses CBC North
March 14, 2025
...member nurses across different N.W.T. communities. MLA Shauna Morgan proposed the motion Thursday, which she said was the idea of Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse. It was seconded by Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong. (Julie Plourde/Radio-Canada) Motion passed to strengthen support of health-care workers ...
Carney scraps parts of Canada’s carbon tax, GNWT sets out response Cabin Radio
March 14, 2025
...the tax to zero. Increasing rebates to 100 percent would have a near-identical effect. In February, Wawzonek – asked by Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins about the prospect of the tax being altered or lifted – said staff were monitoring developments. “We have the option to zero out our values if...
Carney scraps parts of Canada’s carbon tax, NWT response not clear Cabin Radio
March 14, 2025
...entirely to a cap and trade system,” she said in February, “I’m not in a position to say what response we would have here.” Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart said on Thursday that MLAs still did not “have clarity” on what will happen in the NWT in this situation. It’s certain that the territory...
N.W.T. budget passes with $41.6M addition to housing CBC North
March 14, 2025
...homes will change lives and this investment means that more N.W.T. families will have a safe and comfortable place to call home," Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana told reporters in a news conference after Thursday's session. She said that each region would see the benefits of that investment, but couldn't yet...
The NWT’s budget has new housing cash. What will it buy? Cabin Radio
March 14, 2025
...be available for people to live in, use, and move away from waitlists,” she said. Until Thursday’s new money came along, Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers said, the NWT did not have the funding to get large-scale public housing maintenance projects done. “Now we have that funding, and now we can...
Private smoking in public housing to be butted out across the NWT CKLB 101.9
March 14, 2025
...listen to all perspectives and together weigh our options for the best path forward,” she stated in a late Thursday night release. Regular MLAs Richard Edjericon, Robert Hawkins and Kieron Testart — the newly formed Independent Members Caucus — believe the 20th Assembly is not moving fast enough to meet...
With added housing cash, NWT’s 2025-26 budget comfortably passes Cabin Radio
March 13, 2025
...towards this since the beginning of this assembly. This wasn’t something we just came up with a few weeks ago,” said Yellowknife North’s Shauna Morgan, who voted in favour. Range Lake’s Kieron Testart, voting against the budget, said cabinet wasn’t proposing enough action in a time of...
Motion to halt Indigenous Employment Policy is defeated Cabin Radio
March 13, 2025
...Morse. He asked why a policy 30 years old had to be amended now without more time to “build consensus around a new policy.” Finance minister Caroline Wawzonek, by contrast, said those decades had been spent almost continually returning to affirmative action, examining it, consulting on it and trying to...
Elders can be financially, emotionally abused by family members seeking cash for drugs CKLB 101.9
March 13, 2025
...heard about people pressuring elders for pension cheque money. It's like they are trapped, and their money belongs to others,' says MLA Sheryl Yakeleya Too often elders are mistreated by the very people responsible for their care, this can include financial abuse by younger family members pressuring them...
NWT adds $41M in housing spending to draft budget Cabin Radio
March 13, 2025
The NWT’s finance minister says she will add more than $41 million in new housing money to the territory’s latest budget, among other spending. Caroline Wawzonek announced the changes to the NWT government’s 2025-26 draft operating budget in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday afternoon. Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers, who chairs an accountability and oversight committee made up of all 11 regular MLAs, said housing is a priority need. Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong has repeatedly raised the issue of Housing NWT collecting arrears from Elders in the 19th and 20th assemblies. Some regular MLAs have criticized the draft operating budget for not doing enough to advance the assembly’s priorities while also failing to meet fiscal sustainability targets.
‘Policies and procedures protect the criminals,’ says angry MLA CKLB 101.9
March 12, 2025
...Delta's George Nerysoo says Housing NWT units in Fort McPherson are openly used as drug dens A clearly frustrated elected official from a small Gwich’in community says complaints of drug dealing in public housing are ignored by authorities at all levels. Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo said he...
Some MLAs still critical of Indigenous Employment Policy Cabin Radio
March 11, 2025
...those positions.” Some MLAs want more support for Indigenous hiring At least two MLAs appeared supportive of the Indigenous Employment Policy. Denny Rodgers, the MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, said he was in favour of increasing Indigenous employment in the territorial government. To that end, he called for...
NWT immigration cap could go up again if it takes more asylum seekers Cabin Radio
March 11, 2025
...there revolves around the Northwest Territories welcoming asylum seekers to the territory,” she said, responding to questions from Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart. NWT Liberal MP Michael McLeod had previously observed that Ottawa appeared to be tying immigration allotments to jurisdictions’ willingness to...
Hawkins ordered to withdraw remarks aimed at Morgan Cabin Radio
March 11, 2025
...Speaker of the House began Tuesday’s NWT legislature session by ordering Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins to withdraw remarks about Yellowknife North’s Shauna Morgan. On February 28, Thompson inadvertently mixed up regular MLA Morgan’s Yellowknife North district with Yellowknife South, the...
Women’s society disputes Northview claims of housing program Cabin Radio
March 11, 2025
...homelessness had arrived at their new accommodation equipped with only an air mattress, a blanket and a key. During the question period, MLA Shauna Morgan stated that this tenant was likely a beneficiary of the Housing First program since that program helps people experiencing homelessness to secure...
New transitional housing project opens in Yellowknife Cabin Radio
March 10, 2025
...the first time, residents will have access to both addiction recovery support and safe transitional housing within the territory,” health minister Lesa Semmler said as dignitaries opened the facility on Monday. “Tharp gives participants the stability they need to rebuild their lives, reconnect with their...
5-bedroom transitional home opens in Yellowknife for people back from addictions treatment CBC North
March 10, 2025
...neighbourhood, the home will have staff with training in addictions treatment on-site 24 hours a day. Health and Social Services Minister Lesa Semmler said it would provide "stable, sober housing" for residents. Semmler said her department would be working closely with the Salvation Army, which...
Deaths of 3 Dehcho residents have MLAs demanding an investigation CBC North
March 7, 2025
... The motion also calls for the minister to table any recommendations the investigator finds along with a plan to address them. Health Minister Lesa Semmler extended her condolences to the families and recognized their need for answers. Health Minister Lesa Semmler said it's important the government...
Problems, solutions emerge in hearing on closure of 19 Community Learning Centres CKLB 101.9
March 7, 2025
...sitting, tears flowed in what was an emotional time for Speaker Shane Thompson and Great Slave MLA Kate Reid. Thompson was moved as Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse eulogized Ian Legaree, a dedicated public servant, tireless advocate for the North, and champion of youth and community development through sport...
MLAs call for critical incident investigation into deaths Cabin Radio
March 7, 2025
...on Thursday calling on the NWT government to develop and implement a policy regarding non-medical escorts for patients in critical condition. Kieron Testart, the MLA for Range Lake, proposed the motion. He said there is currently no such policy when people are transported by ambulance or emergency...
When Aurora College’s CLCs close, what will happen to the buildings? Cabin Radio
March 7, 2025
...of the college’s decision to close the centres at a Thursday briefing. One of the opening questions for the college came from Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya, who wanted to know what happens to those buildings once the community learning centres – or CLCs – close in June this year. “Almost all of...
Ice road to Łútsël K’é now ‘even more necessary,’ MLA says Cabin Radio
March 7, 2025
...an ice road built between Yellowknife and Łútsël K’é, though cabinet’s response suggests the project is unlikely to happen any time soon. Richard Edjericon raised the issue in the NWT Legislative Assembly on Thursday. He said constructing a winter road could help reduce the cost of living in Łútsël...
MLAs question Aurora College’s plans to close community learning centres, boost online learning CBC North
March 6, 2025
...another option away from these individuals, having them go online and try to do another form of education," Nerysoo said. Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon echoed those concerns, saying students in smaller communities often graduate two or three grades behind, which is concerning. Edjericon says these...
Housing NWT sometimes evicts tenants in winter. MLA asks why notices served in coldest months CBC North
March 6, 2025
...were to evict tenants in Hay River. There were sixteen in Yellowknife, 14 in Inuvik, 11 in Délı̨nę and eight in Fort Providence. Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya pressed Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana in the Legislative Assembly last month about why the housing corporation seeks eviction orders against public...
Facing skeptical MLAs, college defends community centre closures Cabin Radio
March 6, 2025
...(Handley said interest in other programs besides adult upgrading had waned over that same period.) Watch the briefing in full. Great Slave MLA Kate Reid said the college had acted “abruptly and without community input” in reaching its decision. Handley said the college had held dozens of...
‘When they arrive, the distressing reality is there’s nowhere to stay’ Cabin Radio
March 6, 2025
...accommodation and the March tourism surge appear to have made the current situation exceptionally difficult. Responding to Rodgers, health minister Lesa Semmler directly attributed the problem to “a rise in tourism … putting additional pressure on an already strained system.” The territory’s health...
Future of award-winning Literacy Outreach Centre unclear Cabin Radio
March 6, 2025
... “The closure of this centre is a huge step backwards away from meeting many of this assembly’s priorities,” she said. Education minister Caitlin Cleveland told Morgan “conversations have begun” about how to keep the centre alive but “they are certainly not finalized and there is still more work...
NWT ministers tackle questions in annual ‘bear pit’ Cabin Radio
March 6, 2025
...off down the chain to the community governments and your municipal governments and having everybody prepared,” he said. Environment minister Jay Macdonald said many of the recommendations received in a review of the 2023 wildfire season had already been implemented by the department, while those that...