The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released the Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education System Performance Measures Technical Report for the 2023-24 school year. The report provides an overview of how the NWT education system is performing and helps education leaders, families, and the GNWT focus on improving student outcomes and well-being.

The 2023-24 report highlights areas of progress:

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released two new resources to support the planning and development of new licensed centre-based child care spaces across the territory. 

These resources are designed to assist current and prospective child care providers, including individuals, businesses, and organizations interested in entering the sector, as well as the contractors, developers, architects and consultants they may engage to build new facilities or renovate existing ones.  

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is looking for input on the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP). This input will directly inform any updates to the NTNP for 2026 and beyond. 

The NTNP is an economic immigration program administered by the GNWT, in cooperation with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. The NTNP allows the GNWT to nominate and support the application to Canada, for permanent residence, of foreign nationals who intend to live in the NWT and who meet specific economic and labour market needs in the territory.  

Minister Caitlin Cleveland is pleased to announce that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has increased the Northwest Territories’ 2025 allocation for the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) by 47 nominees, bringing the total to 197.

While this increase does not fully restore the territory’s allocation to 2024 levels— which had been cut in half by the previous federal government— the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) welcomes these additional spaces and will continue to advocate for an increased allocation that corresponds to NWT needs.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is allocating up to $14 million to implement the Support Assistants Initiative for the 2025–26 school year, ensuring students continue to receive the in-class support they need despite recent changes to federal funding.

The temporary initiative is a direct response to recent changes in federal funding under Jordan’s Principle – a program that has long provided vital supports to Indigenous students in schools throughout the Northwest Territories (NWT).

As the new school year begins, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is providing an update on drinking water safety at three Yellowknife Education District No. 1 schools: École William McDonald Middle School, Range Lake North School and N.J. Macpherson School.

Mitigation measures are being implemented at all three schools based on expert guidance and proven best practices. These steps are designed to ensure long-term drinking water safety.

At École William McDonald Middle School:

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received follow-up testing results confirming elevated lead levels in the drinking water at N.J. Macpherson School.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) released a critical path outlining how it will continue to support access to quality education and employment programs following the closure of Aurora College’s Community Learning Centres (CLCs) earlier this year.

The critical path highlights immediate and medium-term actions to ensure residents across the territory can continue to access adult learning and training opportunities.

Key actions include:

In response to the rising cost of living, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is permanently increasing subsidy rates and expanding eligibility criteria for its Senior Home Heating Subsidy program.

These changes follow input from the Standing Committee on Social Development, which has consistently highlighted the importance of reviewing subsidy rates and income thresholds to better support seniors with home heating costs.

Starting this year, the Senior Home Heating Subsidy rates will increase in all communities.

The Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupation Certification Board is seeking applications for an Employee Representative to serve a three-year term.

The Board advises the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on matters related to the training and certification of apprentices, trades, and occupations. It is made up of seven members representing the public, employers, and employees working in designated trades and occupations across the Northwest Territories.