The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) continues to take action to address concerns about the presence of lead in water in some Yellowknife schools. Since our last update, which shared preliminary testing results, we have received Stantec’s final reports, which confirms preliminary findings and have also completed an internal review to understand why initial action was delayed when the water testing initiative first rolled out in 2025, and to identify ways to improve.

Effective today, fuel prices will be updated in 12 of 16 communities serviced by the Department of Infrastructure’s Petroleum Products Program.   

Prices are being updated in Colville Lake, Délı̨nę, Fort Good Hope, Gametì, Jean Marie River, Nahanni Butte, Sambaa K’e Tsiigehtchic. Tulita, Wekweètì, Whatì, and Wrigley to reflect the cost of fuel delivered through the 2024/25 winter resupply program. In some instances, the changes are small and only impact a few fuel types.

The link below is being redistributed on behalf of Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat (CICS)

Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers Reaffirm Commitment to Advance Gender Equality at Annual Meeting in Yellowknife

YELLOWKNIFE (July 10, 2025) –Effective September 1, 2025, the Northwest Territories minimum wage will increase from $16.70 per hour to $16.95 per hour. This increase is based on the percentage changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the average hourly wage for 2024.

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Environment ministers discussed the relationship among contaminated sites, climate change and reconciliation, air quality, and other environmental priorities

Ministerial Activities Advisory for the week of July 8-14, 2025

Ministerial Travel 
Please note that travel schedules may change with little or no notice. This schedule is accurate as of July 7, 2025. 

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has been monitoring the recent enhancements made to the Income Assistance programs to ensure they are meeting the needs of NWT residents. 

Starting July 1, 2025, seniors and persons with disabilities have the option to apply either to the Income Assistance program or to the Income Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities program.  This person-centered change in approach affirms individuals’ right to determine which program aligns best with their unique needs and circumstances.

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MINISTERS’ COUNCIL ON THE CANADIAN FRANCOPHONIE FEDERAL–PROVINCIAL–TERRITORIAL MEETING

The second Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) application intake period for 2025 will open from 9am MST on July 2 to 5pm MST on July 9, 2025. Eligible individuals can apply online on the Northwest Territories Nominee Program website.

The first intake for applications was open from February 27 to March 6, 2025. Following this initial intake, 21 nomination spaces are still available out of the 150 nominations for 2025.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement today on federal immigration policy and the urgent need to restore the Northwest Territories’ nominee allocations:

“Earlier this month in Ottawa, I raised a clear and urgent concern with the federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship: the Northwest Territories needs its full nominee program allocation restored—and we need a more flexible, Northern-focused approach moving forward.