The Northwest Territories does not need as many long-term care beds as initially estimated. Julie Green, minister of Health and Social Services, said in the legislative assembly Thursday that the territory will need 169 new beds by 2034. The government originally thought 435 beds would be needed. In 2015, the…
The operators of the Tibbit to Contwoyto Winter Road are closing the road due to an anticipated winter storm. A press release says a severe storm with heavy snowfall and high winds is expected from March 13-16. The public is advised to stay off the road or leave it as…
Starting in September, the minimum wage in the Northwest Territories will increase from $13.46 to $15.20 per hour. R.J. Simpson, minister of Education, Culture and Employment, made the announcement in Thursday’s sitting of the Legislative Assembly. He said once the increase kicks in on Sept. 1, the NWT will have…
Regular MLAs passed a motion to fast-track the GNWT’s review of the NWT housing corporation during a housing-themed sitting of the19th Legislative Assembly, Wednesday. The motion directs the housing corporation to update its mission statement and include referrals to governments programs prior to evicting residents in public housing. Caitlin Cleveland,…
All adults residing in Yellowknife are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. This was announced by Julie Green, minister of Health and Social Services, during a press conference at the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. “With today’s announcement for the general population in Yellowknife, we have moved from scarcity of the…
Earl Evans is calling on the Indigenous and territorial governments to work together and educate harvesters on respectful hunting practices. Evans, the chair of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou management board, shared his recent experience of travelling the Tibbitt to Contwoyto ice road where he says he saw unsafe hunting…
Premier Caroline Cochrane says it does not look like there will be a travel bubble with the Yukon anytime soon. Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA Lesa Semmler pressed both Cochrane and Julie Green, Health and Social Services minister, on the possibility of getting exemptions from isolation when crossing the Yukon border…
Applications are now open to a new fund for NWT residents looking to lead suicide prevention projects in their community. According to an NWT government press release, the Community Suicide Prevention fund will go towards “increasing community wellness and reducing stigma.” A maximum of $45,000 per project will be awarded…
Inuvik will be receiving a new specialized year-round greenhouse in an effort to reduce food scarcity in the North. Ray Solotki, the Inuvik Community Greenhouse executive director, says the facility — called a containerized greenhouse — will grow leafy greens. She explains fresh leafy greens are a rarity in the…
An after-school dance program is giving Yellowknife youth something to get jiggy about. “It’s not that hard,” says Pontiac Mace, an 11-year-old jigging novice. She admits “it’s really fast, and there’s a lot of jumping” Since January, kids have been dancing their little hearts out learning the traditional Métis jig….