The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) committed to providing better supports to help residents develop greater financial security so that they can participate in community life and share in the opportunities available throughout the Northwest Territories (NWT). To support this commitment, the GNWT has made significant improvements to the Income Assistance program and has created a new Income Assistance (IA) Program for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities.

R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has approved a request by Aurora College to begin the process to become a polytechnic university. He has also directed his department to initiate the quality assurance process with Campus Alberta Quality Council.

Access to skilled trades training and certification has improved, according to the final report on the Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupational Certification Strategy 2017-2022 (Strategy).

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking input on a post-secondary education institution application to deliver a diploma-granting program in the territory. Aurora College is applying to provide a General Studies Diploma program within the Northwest Territories starting September 2024. 

The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC) is accepting submissions from NWT artists, craftspeople, curators, and groups to display their art in the Mezzanine Gallery art exhibit space in 2024.

The deadline for applications is August 30, 2023.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to provide space for art exhibits which reflect the diverse cultures and history of the NWT.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has announced the 2023 adjustment to minimum wage in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Effective September 1, 2023, the minimum wage will increase from $15.20 per hour to $16.05 per hour. This change reflects the percentage changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the average hourly wage for 2021 and 2022.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to the Income Assistance Regulations and the newly developed Income Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Regulations.

The proposed regulations are in support of the changes being made to the Income Assistance program based on feedback received through public engagement, which was shared in the What We Heard Report.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is looking for two members of the public to join the Art Selection Committee for a two-year term starting September 1, 2023.

The Art Selection Committee evaluates applications for the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre’s (PWNHC) Mezzanine Gallery exhibit space on an annual basis. This is the first-time members from the arts community are being invited to participate and contribute to the selection of artwork that will be on display at the museum.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has begun releasing the adapted draft Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 (JK-12) curriculum as part of its shift to British Columbia’s curricular framework.

All Northwest Territories (NWT) schools will begin trialing the draft curriculum in some or all subjects, depending on region, in Grades 4-6 and Grade 9 in the 2023-24 school year.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) and its education partners want to ensure that the curriculum is reflective of NWT communities and contexts.

Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Minister R.J. Simpson met with Northwest Territories (NWT) education leaders on June 14, for their final meeting of the 2022-23 school year.

Minister Simpson opened the in-person meeting with updates on ECE initiatives, including a presentation from a delegate with the Minister’s Youth Forum on Education. Vincent Gagne, a student from École Allain St-Cyr, presented a pitch he developed to create a French Association for youth across the NWT.