The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is providing this update to ensure residents are informed of the most recent developments regarding concerns over lead levels in school water supplies.

Over the past few days, additional resources have been mobilized and expert support engaged to better understand the situation. While a comprehensive investigation is still underway, the GNWT believes it is important to share what is currently known so families, school staff, and the broader public have the facts and a clear understanding of next steps.

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Mr, Speaker, I am going to begin my statement in Dinjii Zhu’ Ginjik.

[Following portion will be spoken in Dinjii Zhu’ Ginjik]

Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of the 2024-2025 school year, I want to congratulate all the students of the Northwest Territories and celebrate their successes. Whether they are graduating from junior kindergarten, high school or a post-secondary institution like Aurora College or Collège Nordique, the territory’s graduates have so much to be proud of.

[Resume English]

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement today in response to the discovery of elevated lead levels in drinking water at two Yellowknife schools:

“As a parent, a resident of Yellowknife, and the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, I am deeply concerned by the recent test results indicating elevated lead levels in the drinking water at École William McDonald Middle School and Range Lake North School.

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The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has appointed Kenny Ruptash to the Aurora College Board of Governors and named him Chairperson of the Board for a three-year term. A long-time Northerner and respected leader in governance and industry, Mr. Ruptash brings over two decades of private and public sector experience, including roles on the boards of financial institutions, economic development corporations, and publicly traded companies.

Further to the updates provided in January and February 2025, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received new information regarding the PowerSchool Data Breach.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is now accepting applications for Early Years Community Program Funding for the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 fiscal years.

This funding supports play-based early learning programs for children and their families – often referred to as parent and tot-style programming. Indigenous governments, non-profit organizations, and licensed early learning and child care facilities are encouraged to apply.

The Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) will be gathering feedback as part of a compliance audit of French language communications and services in primary health care. The audit will focus on the experiences of patients, parents and caregivers who accessed, or attempted to access, primary care services in French between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Questions will be focused on:

Yellowknife, NT (March 28, 2025) - The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) implemented today an increase of $3.5 million in Dedicated Wage Funding and a permanent increase of $664,000 in Flexible Funding to support the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Sector. 

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland announced today that Joe Handley will be departing his role as Chairperson of the Aurora College Board of Governors. The process to fill the vacant board seat and appoint a new Chairperson will begin shortly.

Since his appointment in 2023, Mr. Handley has played a key role in strengthening Aurora College’s governance and supporting its transformation into a polytechnic university. The GNWT thanks him for his service, leadership, and dedication to post-secondary education in the Northwest Territories.