The Northwest Territories (NWT) Community Planning Framework has been named a finalist for the 2026 Canadian Awards for Planning Excellence. Released in September 2025, the NWT Community Planning Framework encourages the use of community planning tools to engage residents, build local capacity, and support development goals, while considering relationships across economic development, climate change, housing, healthy communities, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is expanding the criteria for forgiveness of debts under Housing NWT’s legacy mortgage program.

Residents with legacy Housing NWT mortgages may be eligible to have their remaining mortgage forgiven if they meet one of the following criteria:

Premier R.J. Simpson issued the following statement today in response to Canada’s recognition of the section 35 rights of the North Slave Métis Alliance:

“The Government of the Northwest Territories welcomes Canada’s recognition of the section 35 rights of the North Slave Métis Alliance.

“Métis people have a long and important history in the North Slave region and across the Northwest Territories. This recognition reflects that history, and the voices of those who have worked for many years to be heard, including North Slave Métis Alliance members.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received lead testing results for Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Elementary School (LKES) in Fort Simpson.

LKES testing has confirmed that two water fixtures show lead levels above the MAC. As a result, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) has issued a Public Health Order for the school.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) recognized the exceptional contributions of volunteers across the territory at the 2025 NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards (OVA). The awards were presented by Vince McKay, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), during a ceremony at the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly. The annual awards celebrate the vital role of volunteerism in fostering strong, resilient, and connected communities throughout the NWT.

Today, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement for Pink Shirt Day:

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and accepted for who they are, even though we know that not everyone has had that experience. Today is Pink Shirt Day, where wearing pink means you’re showing support for safe environments, free from bullying and harassment.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is reminding business owners across the Northwest Territories (NWT) that business licence renewals are due April 1, 2026.

If you are operating a business in the NWT, you must have a valid business licence. Business licences are issued on April 1 and expire on March 31 of the following year. Fees are charged annually and must be paid each year upon renewal.

Media are invited to attend the public ceremony honouring recipients of the 2025 NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards. These annual awards recognize individuals and groups who have made exceptional contributions to communities across the Northwest Territories through volunteering. Since 1991, the Government of the Northwest Territories has presented the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards in four categories: Outstanding Elder, Outstanding Youth, Outstanding Individual, and Outstanding Group.

The first annual report on emergency management has been released. The report provides information on improvements to the emergency management system, and summarizes activities undertaken by the NWT Emergency Management Organization (EMO), between April 2024 to December 2025.

Language learners and speakers from across the NWT gathered this week in Yellowknife for the annual Mentor-Apprentice Program gathering to celebrate the achievements of the 2025–26 cohort.

The nine-month program pairs fluent Indigenous language speakers with apprentices for 200 hours of one-on-one learning. The program gives apprentices the chance to strengthen fluency, gain confidence, and use their language in everyday life, while giving mentors the opportunity to pass their knowledge and language on to the next generation.