Latest Election News

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What do former NWT MLAs think of an independent members’ caucus? Cabin Radio
February 21, 2025
...have mixed views on a proposal for an independent members’ caucus, largely depending on how they see consensus government. Three current MLAs – Kieron Testart, Robert Hawkins and Richard Edjericon – pitched their plan at a press conference last week to form an independent caucus that could vote as a...
Traditional activities, lower taxes could provide cover in Trump’s threatened trade war, say NWT leaders CKLB 101.9
February 19, 2025
...is … an unhinged U.S. president who is forgetting who his friends are and turning them into enemies,’ says MLA Kieron Testart U.S. President Donald Trump has a callous heart and he should be ashamed of himself for threatening what would be an illegal trade war with Canada. That’s what some NWT...
Reid questions proposed $100K family violence budget cut Cabin Radio
February 18, 2025
...Yellowknife MLA says a proposed budget cut to an NWT family violence shelter network will remove important funding for training. Great Slave MLA Kate Reid told the legislature she and others had received a letter from the Family Violence Shelter Network asking for help reinstating a $100,000 Building...
N.W.T. premier responds to MLAs’ proposed voting bloc by emphasizing co-operation CBC North
February 14, 2025
...idea of forming a committee of regular members who vote together on issues in the territory's legislature. He was backed by Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon and Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins, and said that other members would talk about it with their constituents during the break. Testart...
Three MLAs stand up to cabinet, say they aren’t being listened to CKLB 101.9
February 14, 2025
...dialogue on how we can continue to evolve and strengthen our consensus system.” Thursday afternoon in the Assembly, Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo said he wondered how long a community should expect a danger such as an abandoned buildings to remain in a community before Housing NWT will tear it...
N.W.T. gov’t scrapping $100K to family violence shelters, shelters say bring it back CBC North
February 14, 2025
...the Department of Health and Social Services since learning in August about the planned cut. To advocate further, the network brought concerns to Kate Reid, MLA for Great Slave and former president of the YWCA N.W.T. "Does the minister believe that in-person connections for a sensitive sector such as...
Collaboration is ‘foundation of consensus,’ premier says Cabin Radio
February 14, 2025
...caucus, the NWT premier says “the foundation of consensus government is collaboration.” At a Thursday afternoon press conference, regular MLAs Kieron Testart, Robert Hawkins and Richard Edjericon – who have been critical of cabinet – unveiled their pitch to form an independent members’ committee or...
In detail: What’s in this new ‘independent caucus’ proposal? Cabin Radio
February 13, 2025
...committee or caucus that they say will “save consensus government” in the NWT. Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart, Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins and Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon announced the proposal at a press conference in the NWT legislature building on Thursday. All three...
3 MLAs pitch idea of voting bloc as way to be taken more seriously by N.W.T. cabinet CBC North
February 13, 2025
...the bloc, if it takes an opposing stance from an MLA's constituents on a particular issue. That same sentiment was echoed by Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan, who said that for one MLA to set aside issues that their residents care about in order to vote with the bloc doesn't sit well with her. "My...
N.W.T. minister defends government’s decision not to disclose costs related to former hospital building CBC North
February 13, 2025
...from the auditor general that the territorial government rejects. At the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Morgan pressed Infrastructure Minister Caroline Wawzonek on why the government won't accept that final recommendation. "Who or what are we protecting by refusing to acknowledge mistakes," Morgan asked. ...
‘Monumental accomplishment for Indigenous peoples; the GNWT honoured to be part of it.” CKLB 101.9
February 13, 2025
...Land for the Future agreement funding by partners anticipated to flow by mid-year, says Minister Jay Macdonald One of the most significant achievements of 2024 for Environment and Climate Change Minister Jay Macdonald was the finalization of the Our Land for the Future agreement. The funding, $300 million...
Testart, other MLAs to propose ‘elements of party politics’ Cabin Radio
February 12, 2025
...Lake MLA Kieron Testart is expected to use a Thursday press conference to propose a major political change in the Northwest Territories. Testart has tried in the past to introduce a party political system in the NWT. On Wednesday, other MLAs told Cabin Radio he was set to propose a system to...
‘Why is our Indigenous population subject to these deplorable conditions?’ CKLB 101.9
February 12, 2025
...in May, the 15-year-old Bristol 170 Freighter crashed onto an icy Great Slave Lake. There were no fatalities. The MLA asked Environment Minister Jay Macdonald who is responsible for the cleanup of the wreckage, as it still poses a threat to the local waters. Minister Macdonald noted there are many...
Shauna Morgan questions NWT’s plan for civic addresses Cabin Radio
February 12, 2025
...live in unincorporated areas, such as along the Ingraham Trail outside Yellowknife. In the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan – who represents the trail’s residents – asked what the territory’s plan is for the hundreds of residents who live in unincorporated areas. ...
Questions fly over health-care ‘czar,’ future of learning centres CKLB 101.9
February 11, 2025
...be impacted. There are also several casual positions that will not be renewed and vacant positions that will not be filled. Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan pressed Minister Cleveland to release a report on the learning centres completed last year that was based on a set of community consultations that...
What caused January’s power outage in Fort Resolution? Cabin Radio
February 11, 2025
...why the NWT Power Corporation decided to replace a Fort Resolution power generator in the winter. In the Legislative Assembly on Monday, Richard Edjericon said the community’s residents had been “very concerned about their homes freezing up in -28C weather and causing significant damage” during a...
NWT ‘has no levers’ to address huge jumps in home insurance Cabin Radio
February 10, 2025
...Great Slave MLA Kate Reid’s home insurance renewal arrived in her mailbox a few weeks ago, she opened it to discover her premium had risen by 82 percent. In the NWT legislature last week, Reid said she is not the only facing “extreme jumps in home insurance costs.” She said conversations with...
Housing NWT promises action on safety at Inuvik apartment block Cabin Radio
February 10, 2025
...the “urgency” of safety concerns at an Inuvik apartment complex and will push for solutions in the coming weeks. Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers said he hears daily from tenants at the Nova Apartments, also known as Bompas Place, about drug activity and “deplorable conditions” in the...
Community Learning Centre closures decried by Regular MLAs CKLB 101.9
February 9, 2025
...that are actively harming communities, including homes being used for drug trafficking. On Friday during Oral Questions, Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon asked why there is only one source for caskets in the NWT, unless one is handmade. “Recently, my community members have come to me to voice their...
What’s the plan for adult learning in small N.W.T. communities? MLAs want to know CBC North
February 8, 2025
...College announced in January it would shut 19 community learning centres? That's the question MLAs asked Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland at the Legislative Assembly on Friday. "These closures unfairly target Indigenous communities and will make education less accessible for...
Stagnant economy, uncertain times, call for public investment in infrastructure CKLB 101.9
February 7, 2025
...community infrastructure, and local administration The Mackenzie Valley fibre link to the Arctic coast will connect to Tuktoyaktuk. Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart was the first to offer a reply to Wawzonek’s address. “Far too often, this entire system of government is paralyzed by its own profound lack of...
Some NWT MLAs say budget doesn’t do enough to advance priorities Cabin Radio
February 7, 2025
...to enhance basic funding for utilities and winter road costs. ‘We should be talking about our optimism’ Finally, Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins said in the legislature Thursday that the budget “wasn’t all terrible” but it did not meet objectives set out in the government’s priorities...
Julian Morse calls for NWT to improve respite care supports Cabin Radio
February 6, 2025
...than what we’re paying now.” Morse said the territory pays between $30,000 and $50,000 a month per person sent south for care. Health minister Lesa Semmler said her department is reviewing supportive needs for out-of-territory clients to help inform what would be required to offer supportive living...
Use of N.W.T. man’s Indigenous name in integrity commissioner complaint an ‘invasion’ CBC North
February 6, 2025
...complaints against MLAs. The N.W.T. integrity commissioner dismissed complaints made by Daniel Richards against N.W.T. MLAs Shane Thompson and Caroline Wawzonek. Richards used the name Dëneze Nakehk'o to make the complaints. Nakehk'o, well-known in the territory for his work in media and broadcasting, told...
GNWT moves to amend proposed Indigenous employment policy Cabin Radio
February 5, 2025
...is a part of a much bigger thing, and we really want to see movement on this to be a more inclusive workplace,” said Wawzonek. MLA for Frame Lake Julian Morse is the chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations. He said the committee had not been supportive of the earlier version of the...
Regular MLAs call for action, look for inspiration in session re-start CKLB 101.9
February 5, 2025
...supporting community.” Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek also took exception to being mentioned in the same breath as Trump when Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart asked about the Affirmative Action Policy being replaced by the new Indigenous Hiring Policy. “What about black, brown people, women? People with...
N.W.T. gov’t now proposing Indigenous northerners have top priority in new hiring policy CBC North
February 3, 2025
...seen in a file photo from last year, announced the territorial government's new Indigenous employment policy on Dec. 17. (Natalie Pressman/CBC) Shauna Morgan, MLA for Yellowknife North, said last week she was hopeful there was room to move forward with the policy. "I do think there is so much potential...
Integrity commissioner dismisses two MLA complaints Cabin Radio
January 29, 2025
...unrelated complaints about MLAs from the 19th Assembly, who left their roles in the fall of 2023. Later in 2024, Jones found Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon had broken the MLAs’ code of conduct, for which he was fined and...
Q&A: Closing Aurora College’s community learning centres Cabin Radio
January 27, 2025
...last year. Handley said the GNWT “was certainly told through the education department and we’ve had these discussions with the minister,” Caitlin Cleveland, before last week’s announcement. “She knew it was likely coming,” he said of Cleveland. There is uncertainty around what happens to the...
MLAs ask for feedback on proposed Indigenous Employment Policy Cabin Radio
January 25, 2025
...to what we’re proposing here.” Now, the Standing Committee on Government Operations – a group of regular MLAs chaired by Frame Lake’s Julian Morse – says it wants the public to provide input on the proposed changes. To send your feedback, email it to the committee by Saturday, February 15....
Jean Marie River, N.W.T., facing outbreak of respiratory illness, chief says CBC North
January 18, 2025
...members usually drive to Fort Simpson, more than 120 kilometres away, to see a nurse. Menacho told CBC she's been in contact with Nehendah MLA Shane Thompson about the outbreak and the need for medical staff to visit. Thompson confirmed to CBC that he spoke with Menacho about the illness in the...
GNWT defends Stanton Renewal decisions Cabin Radio
January 16, 2025
...being told to kind-of just take your word for it that this whole thing, the lease and the sublease agreement, is for the best,” Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse added. “How can we be certain that what you’re telling us is true without being given the evidence to back it up?” Loutitt said the...
N.W.T. government won’t say how much rent it pays on its own building CBC North
January 15, 2025
...it's costing taxpayers for both the new and old hospital buildings. (Julie Plourde/Radio-Canada) Questions around cancelling lease MLA for Dehcho, Sheryl Yakeleya, asked if it was possible to cancel the lease if it was found to save money. Steve Loutitt, deputy minister of infrastruture, said he was unaware...
Appeals court finds N.W.T.’s tag and quota system not the only way to manage caribou in Sahtu CBC North
January 9, 2025
...harvest] is the only tool that can be used to manage harvesting - N.W.T. Court of Appeal decision Former environment and natural resources minister Shane Thompson rejected the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board's decision to allow this conservation plan in 2021, partially because it wouldn't incorporate the total...
Colville Lake Dene pleased with caribou appeal verdict Cabin Radio
January 9, 2025
...board has yet to make its decision on the Colville Lake plan. In a statement to Cabin Radio, the NWT government said current environment minister Jay Macdonald and officials from the territorial environment and justice departments “are working closely to review and assess the judgement and its...
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
...this week, seven regular MLAs – Jane Weyallon Armstrong, Richard Edjericon, Robert Hawkins, Kieron Testart, Daniel McNeely, George Nerysoo and Sheryl Yakeleya – said the new policy was being introduced despite “unresolved concerns.” A committee of NWT MLAs had already formally objected to the new...
Now is not the time to replace N.W.T.’s affirmative action hiring policy, say some MLAs CBC North
December 20, 2024
...since that also still plays a role in hiring processes. Other MLAs have also spoken out against the new policy, including Robert Hawkins and Kieron Testart who have both posted public statements outlining their concerns. Both say it will make it harder for northerners to obtain government jobs, and at a...
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
...gaming. ‘Normalization’ concern Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart brought a representative of GeoComply to a meeting with communities minister Vince McKay in October. “Opening the market to legal online sports betting and igaming could offer substantial benefits to the NWT, including increased tax...
New GNWT employment policy prioritizes Indigenous hires Cabin Radio
December 17, 2024
...determine the qualifications actually required and identify equivalencies to address potential barriers. Testart criticizes policy Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart used social media to lambast the new policy on Tuesday. He was particularly critical of the territory’s decision to scrap the prioritization of...
Can the NWT find a path forward for renewable diesel? Cabin Radio
December 16, 2024
...diesel – is emerging as a likely option for helping the territory reach that goal. In the legislature in October, NWT infrastructure minister Caroline Wawzonek said renewable diesel is “one of the more promising opportunities” for reducing emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as...
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
...decision to switch to a public administrator. ‘Taking action has risks’ Multiple MLAs said they also backed the move. Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan said the change to a public administrator was “a positive and necessary step towards setting our NWT healthcare system on a path towards...
Residents head to polls for hamlet elections in 10 N.W.T. communities CBC North
December 9, 2024
...McPherson, Mayor Rebecca Blake has been acclaimed. In Fort Providence, residents will chose between two candidates for mayor: Danny Beaulieu and Ronald Bonnetrouge. Nine people are running for four council seats in Fort Providence: Nancy A. Bonnetrouge Louie Constant Xavier Canadien Miranda Elleze ...
Nutrition North considers expansion to more northern communities Cabin Radio
December 5, 2024
...food security in the region. Both were in Yellowknife for a three-day visit that concluded on Thursday. At the Wednesday briefing, Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya asked if Nutrition North plans to expand to all northern communities. Walsh said the federal government is actively looking at bringing the program...
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
...still in the process of charting a new path of co-governance with governments, and there needs to be some give and take on all sides,” said Shauna Morgan, the Yellowknife North MLA. “I hope we will get to a place where we have better procedures where we can all work together comfortably in this...
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
... The GNWT noted that budget increases had been “supported by MLAs” when they were finalized earlier this year. At the time, Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart had said the existing rebate program was “scratching the surface of our potential.” “The multipliers within the film industry in the...
How should the NWT save money? Cabin Radio
November 7, 2024
...Radio asked every regular MLA how else they believe the territory could better save money. Three MLAs, all from Yellowknife, responded with ideas. Shauna Morgan. Ollie Williams/Cabin Radio Shauna Morgan, the MLA for Yellowknife North, said there are several things she would have liked to have seen cut from...
New board members could help reinvent Northwest Territories Power Corporation, experts say CBC North
November 7, 2024
...with deputy ministers. Sebert said at the time that would amount to $1 million in savings in travel and honouraria, though in 2023 then-minister Diane Archie said the actual savings were between $415,000 and $500,000 per year. Wawzonek, the current minister responsible for NTPC, said Friday that the...
In a rare case, an NWT private member’s bill makes change Cabin Radio
November 6, 2024
...and bring it back here,” he said. “When they move to the graduate study [level], they just need that extra support.” Education minister Caitlin Cleveland told the legislature a government analysis had found students with more than two dependents needed a higher loan limit to complete a four-year...
MLAs pass capital budget despite gripes Cabin Radio
November 5, 2024
...market and public housing units; and creating a three-year investment plan for housing with minimum funding of $50 million per year. Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart said those promises were insufficient and lacked action. He described the government’s response to regular MLAs’ concerns as “just a plan that...
How much carbon tax the NWT is paying and where the money goes Cabin Radio
November 4, 2024
...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 the carbon tax. In the past two years, the...
Inuvik, N.W.T., business owners say liquor price hike took them by surprise CBC North
November 4, 2024
...most expensive time for businesses in Inuvik, with little tourism happening. 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...
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
...to a succession of Housing Ministers to do something to make life peaceful for law-abiding tenants. In the Assembly on Friday, Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana said in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Rental Officer issued 63 Eviction Orders to public housing tenants, with 18 of those evicted. Of those...
Lithium companies urge N.W.T. MLAs to speed up mining regulatory processes CBC North
November 1, 2024
...they'll be obsolete." After hearing similar comments during presentations from Lake Winn Resources and North Arrow Minerals, Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan asked the presenters if there are any competitive advantages to building in the N.W.T. "It sounds like there are lots of other places you could be...
Union attacks GNWT over decision to close Fort Smith’s jail Cabin Radio
November 1, 2024
...reversed course and found the money to keep the jail open. Now, that 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...
N.W.T. assembly passes capital budget despite concerns over priorities CBC North
November 1, 2024
...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 minister responded to members asking for more for housing and...
MLAs want auditor general to investigate health authority Cabin Radio
November 1, 2024
“I’ve received complaints about the healthcare services as well, just like every MLA in here,” he said. “This can be the government that finally, finally sets healthcare on the right course for the Northwest Territories,” he said. “In the process, our people are not getting the treatment they deserve.”All 10 regular MLAs in the assembly voted in favour of the motion. Cabinet abstained from voting, as is usually their practice when a regular MLA makes a motion. This week’s audit of Stanton Renewal also had its roots in a motion by regular MLAs.
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
...harvest of food and which sustains generations before them.” Edjericon was pleased with Tuesday’s announcement by Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland that a deal is in the works with the Government of Canada for a three-year expansion of the NWT school food program: Healthy Food for Learning. All...
N.W.T. officials meet with Fort Smith jail staff before funding expires next year CBC North
October 30, 2024
...told CBC News at the time that notice would give workers time to plan while still earning a paycheck. In the legislature Tuesday, Yellowknife MLA Robert Hawkins asked for clarification on whether staff were given layoff notices. Hawkins said that's what he's been hearing from people in the region. Wawzonek...
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
...taking more than what they need and there's nobody really overseeing that," said Kochon. The appeal court has reserved its decision in the case. Jay Macdonald, current Environment and Climate Change minister, declined to comment as legal proceedings are...
Yellowknife MLAs release healthcare survey findings Cabin Radio
October 25, 2024
...they also want to be part of the solution. Testart said workers are looking for “bold action” from the territorial government. Health minister Lesa Semmler acknowledged the NWT’s healthcare system is facing challenges like the recruitment and retention of staff. She said Stanton Territorial Hospital...
NWT public servants’ morale ‘at rock bottom,’ says MLA and former union leader CKLB 101.9
October 24, 2024
...Canyon Creek Road, there are now a total 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...
NWT’s regular MLAs want capital budget to better reflect priorities Cabin Radio
October 24, 2024
...projects in the coming fiscal year. Reading from a strongly worded report by a committee of regular MLAs on Wednesday, Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers said they won’t approve that budget without greater commitments to address the territory’s healthcare and housing crises. “Committee has...
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
...contact the regional superintendent to see if there could be any help provided in finding alternate funding sources. Meanwhile, Health Minister Lesa Semmler was on her feet answering a series of questions from several MLAs concerning workplace policies and how they are hurting health-care delivery,...
Deh Cho Bridge repair ‘to cost $7M and be finished by end of year’ Cabin Radio
October 23, 2024
...of a lengthy wait for the traffic lights guarding the remaining lane to cycle. Wawzonek was answering questions put to her by Deh Cho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya. Yakeleya, who represents Fort Providence, said residents were “concerned about the traffic delays and worried about potential safety...
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
...the bridge should be fully functional by the end of the calendar year. The repairs are expected to cost about $7 million, according to Wawzonek. Sheryl Yakeleya, MLA for the Dehcho, talked about the bridge on Tuesday in the Legislative Assembly. She said her constituents are concerned over the bridge's...
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
...does it continue to get one of the smallest allocations of public dollars? According to some MLAs, the problem is the budget setting process. Julian Morse, MLA for Frame Lake, is calling for a "procedural reset" so that the government works holistically rather than departments working in isolation. He...
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
...I’m happy to share the letter with them.” A chorus of boos and hoots for Wawzonek, who is also the Deputy Premier, was tamped down by Speaker Shane Thompson. Towards the end of the day, reports indicate MLAs did side with the NWT Legislative Assembly’s Integrity Commissioner, and fined Tu...
NWT legislature reprimands, fines Edjericon $2,500 Cabin Radio
October 21, 2024
...MLAs have followed the integrity commissioner’s recommendation in formally reprimanding Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon and fining him $2,500. Commissioner David Phillip Jones had recommended the reprimand and fine after finding Edjericon had broken the code of conduct for MLAs when he orchestrated...
N.W.T. MLAs reprimand colleague, fine him $2,500 for trying to get nurse fired CBC North
October 21, 2024
...MLAs have voted to reprimand Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard 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...
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
...in place will be able to apply when the program opens up in January of 2025 again,” Cleveland said in response to questions from Great Slave MLA Kate Reid. The minister said her department’s staff were “doing what they can” to ensure as many employees as possible are on hand to process an...
Noise, partying and deaths at Tuk home reported to rental office Cabin Radio
October 21, 2024
...ordered to pay almost $57,000 to the housing authority and an eviction order was issued. Cost of maintaining units Last week, Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers said the town’s public housing was in need of money for care and maintenance. Rodgers also alluded to problems related to drugs in some Inuvik...
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
...said he found a mix of “unpreparedness, 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...