Due to current weather conditions the City of Yellowknife has implemented a fire ban on open air fires within municipal boundaries. Effective immediately and until further notice, a fire ban is now also in place for the Fred Henne and Yellowknife River territorial parks.

Camp stoves, enclosed BBQs and propane-fueled cooking and heating devices are permitted for use in NWT Parks. They must be placed within regulation fire pits and should not emit a flame more than 0.5 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres in height.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released 20-year forecasts (2020-2040) for in-demand jobs in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The forecasts enable the GNWT to make informed decisions and adapt our advanced education and training programs, supports and services to better link to the NWT’s labour market needs today and in the future.

Media is invited to join the departments of Environment and Climate Change (ECC) and Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) for an update on the wildfire situation near Hay River and the K’atl’odeeche First Nation, and the status of evacuation orders for both communities.  

ECC & MACA Minister Shane Thompson, wildfire information officer Mike Westwick with ECC, and Emergency Management Organization (EMO) information officer Jay Boast with MACA, will provide updates and answer questions.

TIME: 10:00am MST

DATE: Thursday, May 18, 2023

Premier Caroline Cochrane and Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and Environment and Climate Change Shane Thompson issued the following statement today regarding the evacuations of Hay River and the Kátł’odeeche First Nation due to an ongoing wildfire in the area:

“This weekend, an aggressive wildfire forced residents of Hay River and the Kátł’odeeche First Nation to evacuate their homes. The situation is evolving rapidly, and it is critical that residents not return to their communities at this time.

Bears are coming out of hibernation in the Northwest Territories. The Department of Environment and Climate Change is reminding everyone that avoiding bear encounters starts with you.

Residents can take quick and easy steps to be bear safe this season.

Do not invite them in!

Minister of Health and Social Services Julie Green issued the following statement for Nursing Week:

“On Nursing Week, I want to celebrate and reflect on the central role nurses have in the delivery of healthcare in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

At 9:55 a.m. on May 10, 2023, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) – in partnership with RCMP G Division – will issue a live test of NWT Alert as part of Emergency Preparedness Week. NWT Alert is the Northwest Territories’ (NWT) public alerting system. Residents may see and hear the public alert test on wireless devices, radio stations, and cable networks across the NWT.

The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) has determined that the Hamlet of Fort Resolution is experiencing financial and operational difficulties, and has provided the community government with formal notice of the intent to place the Hamlet under Administration.

This notice provides a 30-day consultation period before Administration would take effect. Under the authority provided in section 159 of the Hamlets Act, the Minister has the ability to release council from their duties and appoint a Municipal Administrator.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking input on a post-secondary education institution application to deliver a degree-granting program in the territory. Vancouver Island University is applying to provide the Rural and Remote Bachelor of Education Program within the Northwest Territories, with a proposed effective date of September 2023.

Caroline Wawzonek, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, provided the following statement for Red Dress Day:

“Today my thoughts are with the survivors and families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Inspired by Jaime Black’s REDress art installation project, the empty red dresses symbolize the loss of thousands of lives and remind us of the injustices that still exist.