Northwest Territories (NWT) businesses can now apply to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI)’s Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) Program for funding to get their financial books in order.

Up to $7,500.00 is available to individual businesses that need completed bookkeeping and/or financial statements to advance economic recovery or to apply for government funding. The total amount of funding available for this initiative is $400,000

For the first time in 15 years, the Great Slave Lake Winter Fishery opened yesterday.

It is anticipated that seven commercial fishing businesses will participate in this year’s winter fishery. They will be supported by a pilot program introduced by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI).

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released its first progress reports on our territory-wide approach to climate change. 

Strengthening the government’s leadership and authority on climate change, ensuring climate change impacts are specifically considered when making government decisions as well as reducing the cost of power and increasing the use of alternative and renewable energy, are priorities of the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2019-2023.

Today, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) released the GNWT COVID-19 vaccination strategy titled Immunity for our Communities: The Northwest Territories’ COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy for residents of the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The strategy was developed by the Department of Health and Social Services with  input from Indigenous governments and community leadership. It was also built on recommendations from the National Advisory Council for Immunizations (NACI).

YELLOWKNIFE (December 31, 2020) – Protecting residents against COVID-19 has been the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) biggest priority since the pandemic began, and today, the GNWT began COVID-19 vaccinations of Northwest Territories (NWT) residents. The first group to receive their vaccinations included residents and staff at the Jimmy Erasmus Seniors Home in Behchokǫ̀ and AVENS Manor in Yellowknife.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 22, 2020) – Premier Caroline Cochrane today announced the appointment of Steve Loutitt as the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure (INF) for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

Mr. Loutitt has over 30 years’ experience working in the public service in progressively senior roles within the former Department of Transportation and Department of Infrastructure, most recently as Acting Deputy Minister. He was appointed as Assistant Deputy Minister, Regional Operations in March 2020.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 21, 2020 ) – The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) has waived tourism insurance requirements and licensing fees for the 2021-22 fiscal year as COVID-19 impacts on tourism operators continue.

Under the Tourism Act, all tourism operators providing tourism services in the NWT are required to have a valid Tourism Operator Licence (TOL) with prescribed support documents including proof of insurance.

Returning students and persons with specific legal situations requiring travel will continue to have their stays at regional isolation centres fully covered by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in the New Year.

Changes to the GNWT’s Isolation Payment Policy were unveiled December 1 and take effect beginning January 5, 2021.

In an effort to ensure Santa Claus is able to safely and effectively deliver toys to children in the Northwest Territories (NWT) on December 25, the Government of the Northwest Territories has declared Mr. Claus a seasonal essential worker and granted a four-hour self-isolation exemption.

With the risk of COVID rising during the holiday season, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released Holiday Guidelines to help Northwest Territories (NWT) residents and communities celebrate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guidelines are based on Public Health Orders and include best practices for making the season merry while protecting ourselves and each other.

Key guidance on celebrating this holiday season includes: