Politics

Featured, Justice, News, Politics July 18, 2024

Decrease in pre-trial custody corresponds with increase of repeat offenders

'Perhaps we've been a bit too lenient at the expense of public safety,' says Premier RJ Simpson


Canada’s premiers have called on the federal government to review its recent changes to bail legislation, as it might not be closing  the revolving door for charged individuals. That was one of the asks from the Council of the Federation at the end of its two-day meeting in Halifax on…

Featured, News, Politics July 12, 2024

Kele Antoine re-elected chief of Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation

'As we move forward, it is crucial for us to come together as a community,' says Antoine


Kele Antoine has been re-elected as chief of Łııdlı̨ı̨ Kųę First Nation. Antoine won by nine votes over Mavis Cli-Michaud, who had 110 votes in Thursday’s election at Fort Simpson. The re-elected chief on Facebook expressed appreciation: “It was a very close contest, and I want to extend my heartfelt…

Featured, Industry, News, Politics, Transportation, Weather June 28, 2024

Fix for low-water shipping woes could be ‘lighter than air,’ committee hears

But until Ottawa approves airships for arctic use, the push to finish Mackenzie Valley highway shifts gears


With barges stranded and deliveries disrupted up and down the Mackenzie River, alternatives to shipping are lacking at present, says Minister of Finance and Infrastructure Caroline Wawzonek. The senior minister told a committee hearing on Wednesday how she has been pitched alternative cargo transportation concepts, everything from finally securing funding…

Environment, Featured, Industry, News, Politics, Weather June 26, 2024

Anti-Indigenous racism is ‘blatantly obvious’ in Health and Social Services, says Minister Lesa Semmler

Commitment statements on cultural safety will be added into job descriptions, will be part of performance appraisals


The GNWT is producing anti-Indigenous racism commitment statements, to be included in job descriptions, to combat “blatantly obvious,” racism faced by First Nations, Metis and Inuit patients and clients when dealing with Health and Social Services staff. Lesa Semmler is a former nurse in the Beaufort Delta and now is…

Featured, Health, News, Politics June 14, 2024

New lab test appointment policy gets failing grade from MLA Julian Morse

‘We seem to have broken something while trying to improve it,’ says Frame Lake rep, responding to constituents' complaints


Two months ago, the NWT Health and Social Services Authority announced new options for accessing outpatient lab services at Stanton Territorial Hospital, effective immediately. However, the suite of ways to access outpatient lab services at Stanton has soured some feelings among clients who preferred the old method, the NWT Assembly…

Education, Featured, Health, Justice, News, Politics June 13, 2024

Midwifery gets a breather as Finance Minister reverses some proposed budget cuts

Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek promises Behchokǫ̀ will be part of planned program expansion before end of 2027


The territorial government has partially reversed plans to cut nearly $1 million from midwifery services as part of its 2024 proposed budget. Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek made the announcement at a committee hearing late Wednesday afternoon. “Midwives provide a valuable service to support health care in a culturally sensitive and…

Featured, Housing, Industry, News, Politics June 12, 2024

Fort Good Hope Construction Centre wins ‘millions of dollars’ from Canada Mortgage and Housing

Training and housing go hand in hand in Rádeyı̨lı̨ Kǫ́ (Fort Good Hope), says MLA Shauna Morgan


The proposed Fort Good Hope Construction Centre just received a large financial prize from Canada Mortgage and Housing and “is exactly the type of local economic developments that this territory needs,” says Shauna Morgan, MLA for Yellowknife North. “Today I’d like to focus on a positive story of a community…

Featured, Health, Housing, News, Police, Politics June 11, 2024

Shelters are full in Yellowknife, MLA seeks solutions from GNWT

Number of bed seekers has increased and 'capacity is being completely overwhelmed,' says Shauna Morgan


Emergency shelters in Yellowknife are “completely overwhelmed,” with MLA Shauna Morgan saying she’s afraid the system will collapse without solutions being found soon. Morgan is the MLA for Yellowknife North, which includes the Salvation Army complex, which is struggling at over double of its capacity each night. “I would like…