Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek has presented the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) 2025-26 budget to the 20th Legislative Assembly.
Budget 2025-2026 addresses cost pressures in programs and services while departments continue work toward the fiscal sustainability strategy targets in Restoring Balance: A Fiscal Sustainability Strategy for the 20th Legislative Assembly.
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Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that I intend to deliver the Budget Address on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Finance and Infrastructure, Caroline Wawzonek, issued the following statement today regarding the GNWT’s response to the challenges facing Norman Wells and the Sahtu region:
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is introducing the Indigenous Employment Policy (IEP) and will rescind the Affirmative Action Policy on March 31, 2025. The Indigenous Employment Policy which will come into effect on April 1, 2025 reflects the GNWT’s commitment to reconciliation by prioritizing the recruitment, retention, and career advancement of Indigenous persons, as outlined under subsection 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) announced a $48 million dollar subsidy of $12 million per year over four years to the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) to mitigate power rate increases for residents of the NWT.
This subsidy, in direct response to escalating power costs across the NWT, will offset impacts of rate increases proposed in NTPC’s General Rate Application (GRA), lowering the proposed rate increase from 24.8 percent to 15 percent.
Caroline Wawzonek, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance and Infrastructure, and Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely issued the following statement today in response to Imperial Oil’s announcement to temporarily reduce the price of home heating fuel in Norman Wells.
Minister Caroline Wawzonek
“We recognize the immense challenges that residents of Norman Wells and the Sahtu region are facing. The sharp rise in fuel prices has placed significant financial stress on families, businesses, and communities.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is donating $150,000 to the Norman Wells food bank to support residents facing rising costs. This contribution is part of the GNWT’s ongoing efforts to alleviate the financial burden caused by rising fuel prices and disruptions to essential supply chains.
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Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to provide the Legislative Assembly with this fall economic and fiscal update. I will also use this opportunity to outline our progress towards the goals set out in our fiscal strategy.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) have ratified a new collective agreement.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is making grant funding available to support events that commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2023.
This initiative provides special, application-based grant funding up to $2,500 to support Indigenous governments, and Indigenous organizations and communities to plan and deliver National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events in locations across the Northwest Territories.
