Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, health systems across Canada are facing serious and complex challenges. The Northwest Territories is not alone in this. Every province and territory is working to respond to the growing impacts of addictions, mental health needs, workforce shortages, and service gaps. That is why collaboration with other Canadian Jurisdictions is essential.
Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, ensuring residents across the Northwest Territories continue to have access to health care that is safe, reliable and equitable is a top priority for me, for this government and for the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services system. Today, I am pleased to share an update about the work we are doing within that system to improve care in small community health centres and health cabins.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has launched the School Health Promotion Fund (SHPF) to support health and wellness activities in NWT schools.
The new fund replaces the long-running Drop the Pop initiative, which supported schools for 17 years. The SHPF provides up to $5,000 per school to support projects that encourage healthy choices, build life skills, and share knowledge at school, at home, and in the community.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking feedback from dental hygienists, the public, and other interested parties on proposed Dental Hygiene Profession Regulations.
The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) has lifted the Health Order previously in place at Range Lake North School, following confirmation that lead levels in drinking water no longer exceed Health Canada guidelines.
All fountains and fixtures used for drinking water and food preparation have been replaced, and follow-up testing has confirmed overall water quality. Standard operating procedures are being developed to support ongoing maintenance — including filter replacement and routine re-testing — to ensure the water remains safe over time.
The Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) has opened the 2025 Patient Experience Questionnaire to the public. The questionnaire is available to all northerners, in print and online.
The questionnaire has been designed to help the Health and Social Services system to better understand the quality of care provided to Northerners when receiving care in the Northwest Territories. Responses will help HSS improve services and monitor progress over time.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has relaunched the We Need to Talk About this Stuff Campaign. The campaign is a video series featuring Northerners sharing their personal experiences with mental health, trauma, addiction, coping, and healing.
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), in partnership with REACH Nexus at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health Toronto), has launched a three-year project to provide free and anonymous access to health and harm reduction supplies through Our Healthbox machines.
