As of 12:00pm today, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Diane Thom, has declared a territory-wide Public Health Emergency under the Northwest Territories Public Health Act in response to  the COVID-19 global pandemic to protect public health in the Northwest Territories.

The Public Health Emergency was declared upon the recommendation of Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola, and is in effect from March 18 through April 1.

A significant step in strengthening the foundation of Aurora College was made last week when the College launched a new Student Information System. The new system will improve the quality of students’ educational experience and provide data to inform future decision-making as Aurora College transforms to a polytechnic university.

Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek released the Government of the Northwest Territories’ 2020-21 Budget, the first budget of the 19^th Legislative Assembly.

Total revenues of $2.19 billion are expected in 2020-21, along with total expenditures of $1.98 billion, which include departmental spending, infrastructure contributions, and other items. The 2020-21 surplus is forecast to be $203 million.

Revised estimates project a 2019‑20 deficit of $70 million. Projected surpluses in the medium-term outlook are anticipated to decline to $3 million in 2023‑24.

In collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Services, Tlicho Community Service Agency and Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) is piloting a two-year caregiver program that will provide additional supports around the home and community to elders, seniors, and persons with disabilities who have ongoing care or support needs.                                                                           

February is Indigenous Languages Month in the Northwest Territories (NWT), and the theme of this year’s celebration is “Say It With Me.”

Indigenous Languages Month is a chance for people across the territory to promote the nine official NWT Indigenous languages and honour the Elders, teachers and language leaders who are working to revitalize Indigenous languages in their communities.

It was another proud moment for Northerners last week in Ottawa, as Minister Chinna presented the Arctic Inspiration Prize to Northern Compass.

The Arctic Inspiration Prize recognizes and promotes the contribution made by teams who have dedicated their time to projects that serve the Canadian Arctic, the people and Canada as a whole. 

The GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has released its first five-year evaluation report on the Education Renewal and Innovation (ERI) initiative for junior kindergarten (JK) to grade 12 education in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Premier Caroline Cochrane tabled the 2019-2023 Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in the Legislative Assembly today.

Developed to meet the needs and aspirations of NWT residents, the 2019-2023 Mandate of the GNWT will guide how government will take action on the 22 Priorities of the 19^th Legislative Assembly.

Premier Caroline Cochrane today announced that Dr. Erin Kelly has been named Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) and that Mr. Andy Bevan has been named the Associate Deputy Minister, Post-Secondary Education Renewal, and President of Aurora College.

Investors at the AME Roundup and beyond will have a better understanding of the opportunities, investment climate and path to working with two Indigenous Governments thanks to new mineral development strategies released by the Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC).

The release of the strategies was welcomed this morning at the AME Roundup – an event at which Northwest Territories Indigenous governments and organizations have been playing a growing and significant role.