The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), led by the Department of Finance (FIN) is engaging in broad public engagement with governments, Northwest Territories (NWT) businesses, organizations and residents to update the NWT Liquor Act and regulations.
Following direction from the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), the Northwest Territories (NWT) began offering COVID-19 vaccines to non-resident rotational workers at mineral and petroleum projects. This new priority group began receiving vaccines on Friday, March 12, 2021.
Included in this priority group are workers at Imperial Oil in Norman Wells, as well as mines operated by Rio Tinto (Diavik), Dominion (Ekati), and De Beers (Gahcho Kué). Other non-resident rotational workers will continue to be considered by the CPHO on a case-by-case basis.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is raising the alarm after a report of a dangerous invasive species being found in moss balls sold in the NWT.
Moss balls, often sold as Marimo moss balls, are green algae commonly used to increase water quality in aquariums.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released updated long term care bed projections for the Northwest Territories.
Today in the Legislative Assembly, the Minister of Health and Social Services tabled, Projected Demand for Long Term Care Beds in the NWT and the Department’s Response to Long Term Care Bed Projections.
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, R.J. Simpson announced today an increase to the Northwest Territories (NWT) Minimum Wage.
Effective September 1, 2021, the minimum wage will increase from $13.46 per hour to $15.20 per hour.
This decision was informed by research and options provided by the Minimum Wage Committee, which was established in 2013 to advise the Minister of Education Culture and Employment. The Minimum Wage Committee is comprised of representatives from business, labour and community organizations across the territory.
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Mr. Speaker, on September 1, 2021 the minimum wage in the Northwest Territories will increase from $13.46 per hour to $15.20 per hour, making it the second highest minimum wage in Canada behind Nunavut. Since the last increase in 2018, the cost of living and the average hourly wage in the NWT have risen. This increase ensures that the minimum wage does not fall behind, brings our minimum to average wage ratio more in line with the rest of Canada, and makes us more competitive with our neighbouring jurisdictions.
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Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories knows how important it is to enable Seniors to age in place with dignity as loved and valued members of our communities. That is why the 19th Legislative Assembly has identified this as one of the 22 priorities in the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. We are taking a whole-of-government approach to create the conditions in which Seniors will be able to stay at home as they age.
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The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Paulie Chinna has extended the State of Emergency in the City of Yellowknife. This extension is being made under s.14 of the Emergency Management Act.
The extention continues through March 25, 2021.
This State of Emergency was initially instated to address the need for additional shelter space as a result of ongoing capacity limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following statement was issued by Northwest Territories leaders from the Government of the Northwest Territories, Indigenous governments, community governments, and all Chambers of Commerce in the territory on the one-year anniversary of the global COVID-19 pandemic:
