The Minister of Health and Social Services, Julie Green, tabled the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services today in the Legislative Assembly. The Annual Report provides a summary of data on the delivery of services under the NWT’s Child and Family Services Act, Adoption Act, Custom Adoption Recognition Act, and the federal government’s Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth, and families.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) recognizes that review and renewals are key to ensuring long term success in meeting the needs of our residents. Today, Paulie Chinna, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC), announced the release of A Strategy for Renewal of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. 

The attached is being distributed on behalf of the NWT Council of Leaders.

The NWT will become the second jurisdiction in Canada to integrate a Statement of Environmental Values into government decision-making.

The creation of a Statement of Environmental Values is a requirement under the Environmental Rights Act, which was amended in 2019. The Statement explains how environmental considerations, including the right to a healthy environment, will be integrated into decisions that might have a significant impact on the environment.

The Draft Statement of Environmental Values is built upon seven principles:

The Government of the Northwest Territories is pleased to announce the release of the next Water Strategy Action Plan, the Northwest Territories’ plan to responsibly and collaboratively steward our waters.

The NWT Water Stewardship Strategy Action Plan, 2021-2025 sets clear actions under four priority areas:

ProtectNWT will be using a new system to accept and process Self-Isolation Plans (SIPs) beginning tonight, which will result in a simplified process for travellers in filling out the necessary documentation to travel in the NWT.

Effective this week, the NWT is providing coverage for Trikafta, a life changing treatment for 90 per cent of Canadians with cystic fibrosis. Trikafta can be prescribed for residents 12 years and older who have a specific cystic fibrosis mutation. 

Residents with cystic fibrosis being prescribed Trikafta can apply for coverage under the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) Extended and Métis Health Benefits programs. First Nations and Inuit residents can apply under the Federal NIHB program. The estimated retail price is approximately $300,000 per patient per year.

The attached is being distributed on behalf of the Government of Canada, the Tłı̨chǫ Government, and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The Northwest Territories is bringing a strong message to the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

Our message

As a territory, we are responsible for less than 0.2% of Canada’s Greenhouse Gas emissions.

And yet in the north, we are experiencing the effects of climate change three times faster than southern Canada.

It already affects our lives in very real ways.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has amended the Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) Policy Directive and increased short-term operational funding for businesses to further support them through the COVID-19 pandemic.