Today the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), R.J. Simpson announced approved new regulations for admission to French First Language schools in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The new regulations have been developed in consultation with education bodies, including the Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (CSFTNO), and come into effect immediately for the 2020-21 school year.

The new regulations include:

Closing dates for campgrounds in almost all territorial parks across the Northwest Territories have been extended to September 30.

The list of campgrounds and revised closing dates can be found online at NWTParks.ca Reservations for campsites can be made using the GNWT’s online reservation system.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Tłı̨chǫ Government have submitted a revised joint proposal to manage wolves on the Bathurst and Bluenose-East caribou herd winter ranges.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to announce the launch  of its newly redesigned Northwest Territories (NWT) driver’s licences and general identification cards.

Both documents offer improved security features, making them harder to alter or replicate ensuring increased protecting for NWT residents from fraud. They also feature a new Northern look and feel with NWT elements such as a diamond, Arctic Grayling, Mountain Aven, fox, midnight sun and fireweed.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has published an Education Bulletin for the 2020-2021 school year that provides additional information on safety procedures, such as COVID-19 screening processes, wearing masks, and physical distancing, including information on how learning approaches may be required to shift, based on the evolving COVID-19 situation in the Northwest Territories.

Diane Thom, Minister of Health and Social Services, announced the 16 schools chosen to receive awards as part of the 2019-20 Drop the Pop campaign.

Forty-five NWT schools participated in the 2019-20 Drop the Pop challenge using funding to promote healthy foods and beverages. The winning schools will be awarded prizes ranging from $500 – $1,800 in recognition of their activities and creative efforts for the annual awareness campaign.

Some of the highlights from this year’s winners are:

Following careful consideration of the recent NWT Supreme Court decision in Commission scolaire francophone, A.B., F.A., T.B., J.J. et E.S. c Ministre de l’Éducation 2020 CSTNO 28, the GNWT has made the decision to appeal.

This is a very important issue that has major implications and affects much more than the parents and children involved or the CSFTNO. 

An issue of such importance deserves the attention of the Court of Appeal.

Premier Caroline Cochrane announced today that Minister Katrina Nokleby’s appointments as Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Minister of Infrastructure have been revoked effective immediately.

Minister R.J. Simpson will assume responsibility as Minister of Infrastructure, while Minister Shane Thompson will assume responsibility as Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Minister Nokleby’s appointment as a Member of the Executive Council remains in effect.

Joyce Taylor has been named as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC).

BDIC is an accountable and independent Crown Corporation of the Government of the Northwest Territories providing resources for the economic development of the Northwest Territories.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), in partnership with the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), has launched a funding program that will help the Northwest Territories tourism industry recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

ITI regional offices will start accepting applications for the Growth and Recovery by Investing in Tourism (GRIT) Fund, a $1.5 million, one-time program cost-shared equally by ITI and CanNor.  ITI will deliver the program on behalf of both governments.