In February 2023, the Addictions Prevention and Recovery Services Work Plan was released. Since the plan’s release, 50% of the action items in the Work Plan have been completed.

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

The recently completed action items include:

Work is underway to complete independent reviews of the 2023 wildfire season to gain a full understanding of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) wildfire and emergency response.

The ultimate goals of these reviews are to improve our effectiveness as a government and ensure we have appropriate preparedness and response strategies in place going forward.

This work has two separate components:

The following is being redistributed on behalf of The Government of Canada.

Government of Canada signs two bilateral agreements with the Northwest Territories to improve health care - Canada.ca

The attached is being redistributed on behalf of the Chief Coroner's office.

As an initial step to addressing the territory’s economic challenges, Premier R.J. Simpson and Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek have released Restoring Balance: A Fiscal Sustainability Strategy for the 20th Legislative Assembly.

The strategy outlines the reality of the territory’s financial situation and sets significant targets to help support the territory’s economic recovery through the life of the 20th Assembly. The goal of the strategy is to increase revenues and reduce expenditures in a way that minimizes impacts on critical programs and services that residents rely on.

An independent evaluation of the Child and Youth Counselling (CYC) Initiative has been completed, and a final report published, including recommendations. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has also released its response to the report’s recommendations.

Effective April 1, 2024, the carbon tax on diesel home heating fuel will be suspended in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Consumers will receive a point-of-purchase rebate on all diesel home heating fuel purchased in the NWT until March 31, 2027.

February is Indigenous Languages Month in the Northwest Territories. Indigenous languages are the foundation of the territory's identity, pride, and community. This month, help support Indigenous language revitalization and ask everyone to "say it in our languages" to encourage them to speak Indigenous languages with pride.

Denekʼę́ arı̨dı

(deh-nek ay ah-deen-dee)

Dene t'á arı̨nı̨

(deh-net ah ah-reen-ee)

Dene kʼę́ę́ adındı

(deh-nek ay ah-deen-dee)

Dinjih zhuh kʼyuu tʼijiinuh

Premier R.J. Simpson announced today that John MacDonald will assume the role of Secretary to Cabinet and Deputy Minister of the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, effective immediately. The Secretary to Cabinet provides coordination and leadership to the executive branch of government and is the most senior official within the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) public service.

Last week, Cabinet members of the 20th Assembly of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and officials attended the Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) Roundup conference in Vancouver to promote the territory’s mineral resources sector.

Premier R.J. Simpson was joined by Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Caitlin Cleveland, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance and Infrastructure Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jay Macdonald, and Member of the Legislative Assembly Daniel McNeely.