The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is working with the Town of Hay River to support the continued delivery of public library services in the community.

Short-term staffing has been secured, which will allow for the re-opening of the Hay River Centennial Library on June 9, 2026. The library will open with modified hours, Monday to Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and limited services, which will include access to library books, online library resources and computers for internet use.

Marine Transportation Services (MTS) has set its cargo acceptance dates and sailing schedule for the 2026 season.

Cargo acceptance dates are the final dates MTS will receive cargo at its terminals for delivery to communities across the Mackenzie River system, Great Slave Lake and the Western Arctic.

Customers are encouraged to review the schedule and plan shipments early. Cargo received after the cut-off dates may not be accepted.

Marine Transportation Services (MTS) has set its cargo rates for the 2026 sailing season to communities along the Mackenzie River, Great Slave Lake and the Western Arctic. MTS is operated by the Government of the Northwest Territories and provides essential seasonal resupply of fuel and freight to northern communities.

Cargo rates are adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and other operational factors. These updates help ensure MTS can continue to provide reliable and cost-effective marine resupply services.

Premier R.J. Simpson issued the following statement today in response to recent public comments and reporting regarding the events at Timber Bay:

“Recent public comments and reporting on the events at Timber Bay have brought renewed attention to this issue.

“I want to speak directly to the people of Łutsël K’é, to the Elders, families, and young people who were at Timber Bay.

Housing NWT has awarded a contract to Northern Industrial Construction Ltd. for the new Singles Multi-Unit Residential Building that will be built in Hay River. This new project will replace an aging 28-unit singles social housing complex. The new 30-unit building for singles will incorporate contemporary standards for energy efficiency, climate resilience, community safety, and accessibility, with ten designated barrier-free units.

Environmental work is advancing at six NWT airports to investigate the presence and extent of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and to inform future actions.

Premier R.J. Simpson issued the following statement today to mark the 20th anniversary of the Tłı̨chǫ Government:

“Twenty years ago, the Tłı̨chǫ Government was formally established — the first in the Northwest Territories to combine a comprehensive land claim and a self-government agreement. It was a landmark achievement that reflected decades of vision, unity, and determination, and enshrined the Tłı̨chǫ Nation’s right to make decisions for their own people, in their own way.

Hay River  (July 9, 2025) - Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson issued the following statement today on Premier P.J. Akeeagok’s announcement that he will not seek re-election this fall:

"I want to extend my sincere thanks to Premier Akeeagok for his leadership, his friendship, and his unwavering commitment to the people of Nunavut and to the North as a whole.

Marine Transportation Services (MTS) has set its 2025 cargo acceptance dates for communities in the Sahtu region.

MTS is accepting cargo departing from Hay River to Tulita, Norman Wells, and Fort Good Hope until Monday, June 30, 2025.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is offering free dredged material (dirt) to residents in July 2025 in Hay River.

The dredged material is essentially dried river sediment, a mix of sand, silt, and clay, and small bits of debris that was removed from the Hay River Harbour navigational channel during dredging in the summer of 2024, and has been drying since. It has been extensively tested and is approved for residential and agricultural use.

Approximately 30,000 cubic metres of dredged material is available.

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