Have your say on the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)’s 2027-2028 budget and fiscal situation.

The Northwest Territories is navigating a period of economic transition as major resource projects wind down, global uncertainty grows, and costs continue to rise. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging through partnerships, infrastructure investment, and a renewed focus on building resilient communities and a more diversified economy for the future.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), the Union of Northern Workers (UNW), the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA) have reached agreement on the transition of HRHSSA into the public service.

Effective April 1, 2027, HRHSSA will join the public service. All parties will work together over the coming year to ensure that this transition is straightforward and stable for employees and residents so that health and social services in Hay River will continue without interruption.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released the What We Heard Report summarizing feedback gathered during engagement on Phase II of the Public Service Act modernization initiative. This phase focused on proposed amendments to section 41 of the Act, which outlines union representation for GNWT public servants.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has introduced temporary/short-term support to ease electricity cost increases effective February 1, 2026 to March 31, 2028. The new Cost of Living Subsidy will be applied to electricity bills for residents who live in:

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Mr. Speaker, increasing Indigenous representation in the Public Service has been a goal of the Legislative Assembly for over 30 years.  Guided by our commitment to reconciliation, the Government of the Northwest Territories has taken a whole-of-government approach to addressing barriers to recruitment and retention by challenging the status quo, uplifting Indigenous voices, and advancing the implementation of the Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Framework and Action Plan launched in 2021.

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Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to recognize the accomplishments of the Health Recruitment Unit and to highlight the progress being made to strengthen staffing in nursing, social work, and allied health professions across the Northwest Territories.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)  will upgrade the NWT eServices Portal in March 2026 to improve security and user experience.

As part of this  upgrade, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and a new email-based login system will be introduced, replacing the current NTKey and Interac Sign-In Partner login methods.

Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek has presented the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) 2026‑2027 Main Estimates to the 20th Legislative Assembly.

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Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that I will deliver the Budget Address on Thursday February 5, 2026.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Finance Caroline Wawzonek will deliver the 2026-2027 Budget Address in the Legislative Assembly on February 5, 2026.

The Budget Address will outline the government’s fiscal priorities for the upcoming year and speak to how the GNWT plans to support stability for residents while the territorial economy continues its transition.

Residents can watch the Address live through the Legislative Assembly’s broadcast channels.