YELLOWKNIFE (October 1, 2013) – The new Community Planning and Development Act and Regulations come into force on October 1, 2013. The new statute and regulations replace the Planning Act and provide more options for municipal governments to implement local solutions and direct local development.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 1, 2013) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has completed a redesign of its organizational structure to incorporate the devolving programs and services, Premier Bob McLeod announced today.  Some departments will be receiving significant new functions and new responsibilities as of April 1, 2014. This is when responsibility for managing land, water and resources transfers from the federal to the territorial government, in accordance with the NWT Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 9, 2013) – The GNWT will provide financial support to community governments to help with the costs of hosting events to recognize the important role volunteers play in contributing to sustainable, safe, and vibrant communities.

YELLOWKNIFE (August 20, 2013) – The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) is seeking nominations for the NWT Fire Service Merit Awards.

Based on nominations from community members, fire departments and fire chiefs, the NWT Fire Service Merit Awards honour and recognize individuals and community fire departments for their significant contributions to fire safety and fire service in communities across the NWT.

This is Drowning Prevention Week in Canada. Residents and visitors are urged to practice water safety while boating, fishing and swimming in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

YELLOWKNIFE (July 11, 2013) – Last month, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), in cooperation with the Northwest Territories Association of Communities (NWTAC) and the Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories (LGANT), held a workshop that focused on defining roles, responsibilities, and relationships between the three organizations.

PAULATUK (June 28, 2013) – A new approach to preparing communities for transportation-related emergencies was successfully launched in Fort McPherson on June 11-13.

A live exercise held to meet Transport Canada requirements for airport emergency exercises was preceded by training for community first responders who were taught basic emergency scene management and how to safely transport victims to the local health centre. A recently completed review of the results from these exercises confirms that the training has met organizers’ objectives.

YELLOWKNIFE (June 12, 2013) – Youth are encouraged to develop their leadership skills by applying for the Youth Ambassador Program. Youth Ambassadors develop significant life and job skills and participate in special events across Canada. In the past, they have attended the Arctic Winter Games, Canada Winter Games, and the North American Indigenous Games.

WHITEHORSE  (June 7, 2013)—Following a decision from the Arctic Winter Games International Committee (AWGIC), the ministers responsible for sport in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, along with the Lieutenant Governor of Alaska, will work together to ensure that the sports eliminated from the 2016 Arctic Winter Games (AWG) in Greenland will have an alternate multi-sport venue.

YELLOWKNIFE (June 6, 2013) – Workshops being held across the NWT will help residents identify hazards and risks in their communities. Information gathered during these regional hazard identification risk assessments will be used to improve emergency planning and preparedness in the Northwest Territories. The workshops are being hosted by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.