Articles by James O'Connor

Featured, News, Politics February 19, 2025

Traditional activities, lower taxes could provide cover in Trump’s threatened trade war, say NWT leaders

‘This 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 political leaders had to say on Denendeh Sunrise on Wednesday about Trump’s tariff threats, which are in limbo until the…

Featured, News, Police February 17, 2025

Hay River RCMP on lookout for suspect charged with firearms offences

Weapons seized after a person had been assaulted, threatened with firearm at a residence on Woodland Drive


Hay River RCMP seized a long gun and are looking for a suspect after a person had been threatened with a firearm. In early February, police received information that a person had been assaulted at a residence on Woodland Drive, stated a release. An investigation was launched, during the course…

Featured, News, Police February 17, 2025

Settling of scores in Fort Smith drug trade likely behind weekend crimes

Shots fired into a residence from a vehicle, followed by a fully engulfed vehicle fire minutes later, say RCMP


Fort Smith RCMP are seeking information from the public after weekend crimes suspected to be linked to the drug trade. Shortly after 5 a.m. on February 15th, officers received a report that several shots had been fired from a vehicle into a residence on Field Street. The vehicle fled the…

Featured, News, Police February 14, 2025

Record-breaking $1.3M bust nets RCMP cocaine, cash and three suspects

The arrests have 'significantly disrupted a drug trafficking and organized crime network, in the NWT, says Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland


The largest drug bust in the Northwest Territories’ history netted RCMP $360,000 in cash; and 4.7 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value when broken down for sale of $950,000. Three people from outside the territory were arrested and weapons also seized in the February 4th raid on two…

Featured, News, Politics February 14, 2025

Three MLAs stand up to cabinet, say they aren’t being listened to

'We are going to save our consensus government system and keep the NWT strong and free,' says MLA Kieron Testart


“We’re here to set the record straight. We’re here to save the consensus government. The future of the NWT has never been under such a great threat.” – Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart A trio of MLAs that are fed up with the performance of Premier R.J. Simpson and his…

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, 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…