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Mr. Speaker, I am excited to announce that today, the Government of the Northwest Territories is releasing the Aurora College Transformation Implementation Plan and the Initial Areas of Teaching and Research Specialization for the polytechnic university. These foundational documents, along with input from our residents and partners, will help guide the transformation of Aurora College into a polytechnic university and beyond over the next six years.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to announce the continuation of supports for the NWT’s most vulnerable residents in obtaining general identification cards (GIC).

In 2017, the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) and Infrastructure (INF) partnered on a two-year pilot project to help Income Assistance (IA) applicants obtain GICs by waiving fees for approved IA applicants. 

The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is currently closed to the public due to an unforeseen incident related to maintenance being performed on the water main.

Work is currently underway to clean up water which leaked into the basement and restore plumbing services to the facility. The Museum will remain closed to the public over the weekend and re-open for regular visitation hours on Wednesday, October 28, 2020.  

For all Media Requests, please contact:

Jaimee Kepa

Government of the Northwest Territories

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Mr. Speaker, one year ago, Members of this House made the transformation of Aurora College into a polytechnic university a priority of the 19^th Legislative Assembly. Today, I would like to provide an update on some of the progress that has been made toward this goal.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) is pleased to announce a new teaching resource has been developed to support the social studies curriculum in schools across the NWT.  This resource invites students to embark on an interactive paddling journey from Fort Smith to Tuktoyaktuk, featuring thirty-two stops along the traditional transportation route, each highlighting a riverside community or significant landmark.

Today the Government of the Northwest Territories announced $12.371 million in new funding to support schools with the extra costs incurred as a result of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the total amount, $4.85 million is coming from the Government of Canada.

This joint initiative between the departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Finance will provide funding for:

·       technology such as laptops, tablets, and at-home internet access

Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Minister R.J. Simpson met via videoconference with Northwest Territories (NWT) Education Leaders, and the NWT Teachers’ Association (NWTTA) on September 15, 2020 to resume in-depth planning for the school year. 

The leaders discussed progress that has been achieved thus far in the school year and planned for further provisions of personal protective equipment and supplies for schools related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) is pleased to be accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Early Childhood Development scholarships. The scholarships valued at $5000 each will be awarded to eligible Northwest Territories (NWT) students attending accredited post-secondary institutions to complete Diploma or Degree programs with a direct focus in Early Learning and Child Care/Early Childhood Development studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Minister R.J. Simpson met via videoconference with Northwest Territories (NWT) Education Leaders, and the NWT Teachers’ Association (NWTTA) on September 1, 2020 to share information about schools reopening across the Territory.  They were joined by NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola and members of her team.

Today the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) released a discussion paper seeking input on four proposed areas of teaching and research specialization for the polytechnic university that will guide transformational decision-making leading up to its launch.