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Featured, News, Politics February 13, 2025

‘Monumental accomplishment for Indigenous peoples; the GNWT honoured to be part of it.”

Our 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 from the Government of Canada and $75 million from private donors is now expected to start flowing by the…

Featured, News, Politics February 12, 2025

‘Why is our Indigenous population subject to these deplorable conditions?’

Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo says despite years of complaints, medical travel patients still end up at Yellowknife’s Quality Inn


Health and Social Services Minister Lesa Semmler again faced questions about complaints from community residents placed at a certain Yellowknife hotel for medical travel. Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo reminded the Minister that he stood in the NWT one year ago to raise the same concerns over the downtown Quality…

Featured, News, Politics February 11, 2025

Questions fly over health-care ‘czar,’ future of learning centres 

Ministers Semmler and Cleveland pressed for answers in NWT Assembly on two issues of concern to many communities


The unilateral decision by the Aurora College board of directors to close all 19 Community Learning Centres has left some employees in emotional turmoil. Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo was critical of the move, which came without consultation. “There are some employees who broke down in tears because of the…

Featured, News, Politics February 9, 2025

Community Learning Centre closures decried by Regular MLAs

Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong says there was no consultation about the end of the program


Several Regular MLAs schooled Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland in the NWT Assembly last week on the ramifications of Aurora College’s recent decision to close all Community Learning Centres. Aurora College is closing 19 Community Learning Centres located mostly in smaller communities across the NWT as of June 30. Monfwi MLA…

Featured, News, Police February 9, 2025

Drug precursors, cash, handgun seized during police raid

No injuries reported during major police response at apartment block in Yellowknife, say RCMP


A major RCMP operation in Yellowknife on Friday resulted in one arrest and the seizure of drug precursors, money, a handgun and ammunition. As part of an investigation, police executed a search warrant at an apartment building in an unspecified neighbourhood in the city, bringing in the Emergency Response Team,…

Featured, News, Politics February 7, 2025

Stagnant economy, uncertain times, call for public investment in infrastructure

'We want residents to know that we're going to keep things stable,' says Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek, delivering her second budget


The territorial government plans to spend roughly $2.5 billion in the coming year, but is watching a shrinking GDP as private business activity slows, mostly due to the large diamond mines beginning their multi-year shutdowns. So, the GNWT is moving towards public investment in capital projects, to bolster employment and…

Featured, News, Politics February 5, 2025

Regular MLAs call for action, look for inspiration in session re-start

Threatened trade war, Trump's social policies, Norman Wells economic crisis, and Premier's inaugural Territorial Address come under fire


Raw politics were on the menu for many MLAs at today’s start of the latest sitting for the NWT Assembly. U.S. President Donald Trump was vilified by a couple of MLAs for his social policies and threatened trade war with Canada. Later, Ontario Premier Doug Ford was praised for his…

Featured, News, Politics February 5, 2025

Working with Indigenous leaders ‘a cornerstone’ of 20th Assembly

‘Progress can only be achieved by working side by side … and ensuring their voices are central to the GNWT’s decision-making processes,’ says Premier R.J. Simpson


In what he says will be an annual event, Premier R.J. Simpson stood in the Great Hall of the NWT Legislative Assembly late Tuesday afternoon and delivered a narrative on the accomplishments and challenges of the first year of his government. Simpson spent some time detailing the efforts made by…