Regulations are being developed to bring the NWT Mineral Resources Act (MRA) into effect, and your input is needed. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)  is gathering public feedback on the detailed policy intentions, and this round of engagements covers online map staking, blackout period, and temporary restricted areas.

This is the final of four engagements about the MRA Regulations policy intentions which began in 2025.  The full list of engagements include:

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Northwest Territories (NWT) Youth Ambassadors Program. The program provides NWT youth with opportunities to build leadership skills through participation in special events and volunteer assignments.

In the past, NWT Youth Ambassadors have attended the Arctic Winter Games, Canada Winter Games, Canada Summer Games, and the North American Indigenous Games. This cohort will have the opportunity to volunteer at the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Quebec City, Quebec.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has confirmed the first case of white-nose syndrome (WNS) and the fungus that causes the disease (Pseudogymnoascus destructans or Pd) in the Fort Smith area as part of ongoing bat monitoring. White-nose syndrome is a disease threatening bats across North America. It was detected in a Northern myotis bat (Myotis septentrionalis). This is the northernmost detection of the disease in North America.

This disease does not pose any health risk to humans, and is not known to affect other species of wildlife.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is inviting residents to provide feedback on proposed changes to the Student Record Regulations under the Education Act.

The proposed amendments support the implementation of Bill 81, An Act to Amend the Education Act, No. 2, and include updates related to student program decisions.

Phased increases to most compliance and licensing fees are expected to come into effect starting June 15, 2026. Specific fees related to National Safety Code (NSC) commercial vehicles (commercial vehicles weighing over 4,500 kilograms) are expected to come into effect starting July 1, 2026; this includes Deh Cho Bridge tolls.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is advising residents that applications are now open for the Extended Health Benefits benefit year that starts on September 1, 2026.

This applies to residents who have a valid NWT health care card and do not have benefits from another program, employer, or private insurance provider. Seniors 60 and older who are already enrolled in Extended Health Benefits do not need to reapply. Residents eligible for Non-Insured Health Benefits or Métis Health Benefits are also not impacted.

Two online information sessions on the Northwest Territories Nominee Program will take place June 16 and June 18, 2026. Employers and foreign nationals are invited to attend either session to learn more about the program, get more information about application processes and ask Government of the Northwest Territories employees any questions.

2222 Hi-Rez NDN: The Cyberpunk Smoke Signals of Morgan Zoe is a new exhibition opening at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC). The opening reception will be on Thursday, June 25, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the PWNHC café. Over 50 original drawings that reveal Zoe’s vision of a futuristic NWT will be on display.  

Residents are invited to share their feedback on the GNWT French language communications and services through the Francophone Community Satisfaction Survey.

The online survey helps the GNWT assess and improve communications and the quality and delivery of services in French. It is anonymous and takes approximately five minutes to complete. Feedback collected through the survey will be summarized in a What We Heard Report.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Lesa Semmler, is seeking nominations for vacancies on the Regional Wellness Councils for the Beaufort-Delta, Dehcho, Fort Smith, Hay River, Sahtu and Yellowknife regions.

The role of the Regional Wellness Council is to ensure residents from across the Northwest Territories have an opportunity to provide input into the territorial health and social services system. The councils help inform policy and programming decisions across the territory.