News Releases

New made-in-Canada high school equivalency for NWT residents

The new Canadian Adult Education Credential will be available in the Northwest Territories starting November 1, 2024.

Through the new Canadian Adult Education Credential, adults without a high school diploma can now earn their high school equivalency. It opens new doors for jobs, applying for post secondary education, or accessing other educational and training opportunities, including apprenticeships.

Fire Prevention Week (October 6-12, 2024): “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”

In recognition of this year’s Fire Prevention Week, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is highlighting the critical importance of installing working smoke alarms in homes. The theme for Fire Prevention Week 2024, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”, underscores the vital role smoke alarms play in providing early warning and time to safely evacuate if a fire occurs. 

New Chief Judge appointed to the Territorial Court

Minister of Justice, R.J. Simpson, announced today the appointment of the Honourable Judge Jeannie Scott to the position of Chief Judge of the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories.

Under the Territorial Court Act, the Chief Judge is appointed to a term of five years. The term of the current Chief Judge, the Honourable Chief Judge Robert Gorin, will expire on October 2, 2024 at 5:00 pm at which point the Chief Judge Scott’s term will take effect.

NWT Observes Test Your Smoke Alarm Day on September 28

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) are encouraging all Northwest Territories (NWT) residents to regularly test their smoke alarms and participate in "Test Your Smoke Alarm Day" on September 28, 2024.

This Ontario-led initiative now forms part of a broader national campaign supported by the Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners to raise awareness of the importance of working smoke alarms in homes across the country.

Final Update on the Addictions Prevention and Recovery Services Work Plan

In February 2023, the Addictions Prevention and Recovery Services Work Plan (2022-2024) was released. As of today, at the plan’s conclusion, 100% of the action items in the Work Plan have been completed.

The Work Plan contained 24 action items to strengthen addictions and wellness programs for residents of the Northwest Territories (NWT). The items in the plan responded to the Auditor General of Canada’s recommendations, delivered in 2022.

The completed action items include:

Prohibition Creek Access Road Phase 1 opens to the public

Construction of phase one of the Prohibition Creek Access Road (PCAR) is complete and open for public use.

This first section of PCAR is a 6.7-kilometre stretch of new all-season highway from Canyon Creek to Christina Creek, south of Norman Wells. Combined with the previously built Canyon Creek All-Season Access Road, there is now a total of 20.7 kilometres of the seasonal Mackenzie Valley Winter Road accessible year-around, improving the safety, reliability and resilience of the Northwest Territories transportation system in the face of climate change.

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