The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received lead testing results for Chief T’Selehye School in Fort Good Hope. Testing has confirmed that several drinking water fixtures show lead levels above the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) set out in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. As a result, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) has issued a Public Health Order and implemented a flushing protocol for the school.

The Government of Alberta has cancelled all January 2026 diploma exams due to instructional time lost during the recent teachers’ strike. Because the Northwest Territories uses Alberta’s diploma examination program, this cancellation also applies to all Grade 12 students in the NWT.

As a result, NWT students are automatically exempt from writing diploma exams in January. Students who wish to write an exam later in the school year will continue to have opportunities to do so.

What this means for NWT students:

The Government of the Northwest Territories is proposing changes to the Public Service Act to make our public service more fair, transparent, and equitable.

The proposal includes creating a Public Service Labour Relations Board and amending the legislation to include processes for certification and decertification that will give unionized public servants more choice in how they are represented and ensure decisions are impartial and consistent with practices across Canada.

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement on the Northwest Territories’ participation at the Resourcing Tomorrow Mining Conference in London, United Kingdom:

Housing NWT is pleased to announce that a new Singles Multi-Unit Residential Building will be built in Hay River. This new project will replace an aging 28-unit singles social housing complex. The new 30-unit modern building is designed to better meet the needs of residents.

The Geographical and Community Place Names Policy needs your input. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is updating this policy to enhance the role of Indigenous governments and the public in naming decisions. The policy was last updated in 1997 and no longer reflects how the GNWT works with Indigenous governments and the public.

Yellowknife Airport will be conducting a live security exercise on December 9, 2025, as part of our commitment to safety and emergency preparedness.

In accordance with the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, aerodrome operators are required to conduct a live security exercise at least once every two years. This exercise is designed to test the effectiveness of the airport’s emergency plan in response to an act of unlawful interference with civil aviation.

What to Expect:

Lucy Kuptana, Minister Responsible for Status of Women, issued the following statement ahead of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement today in response to the latest drinking water test results from NWT schools:

“As a parent, a lifelong resident of the Northwest Territories, and the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, I remain deeply concerned by the test results showing elevated lead levels in drinking water fixtures at schools in our territory.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received lead testing results for Mildred Hall School in Yellowknife. Testing has confirmed that some drinking water fixtures show lead levels above the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) set out in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. As a result, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) has issued a Public Health Order for the school.