Public Service Announcement

Minister Semmler and Regional Health and Social Services Leaders Meet to Discuss Shared Priorities for 2025

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Lesa Semmler, met with the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) Public Administrator and health system leadership in Yellowknife to discuss progress and shared priorities for the year ahead.

Have your say: Proposed regulations for Missing Persons Act

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls highlighted the need for legislation related to missing persons in Canada. The GNWT is committed to responding to the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry and has developed legislation to further support missing person investigations.

The GNWT has now drafted regulations needed to bring the Missing Persons Act into force. 

These regulations prescribe details related (but not limited) to:

Yellowknife’s Jackfish Lake remains unsafe for swimming, fishing or other recreational use

Residents are reminded that Jackfish Lake, located in Yellowknife on Highway 3, continues to have elevated levels of arsenic and harmful algae. The water is not safe for swimming, fishing, or other recreational use. Updated warning signage will be installed around Jackfish Lake within the next couple of weeks.

Harmful Algal Blooms (Cyanobacteria):

GNWT Introduces Rental Fees to Onshore Significant Discovery Licences

Effective immediately, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is implementing rental fees on lands held under onshore Significant Discovery Licences (SDLs).

SDLs are issued under the Petroleum Resources Act (PRA) to companies that have successfully bid for the exclusive right to develop oil and gas resources on specific lands. Unlike other Canadian jurisdictions, the NWT has, until now, not required rental fees for SDLs, nor have companies been obligated to advance resource development to retain their licences.

Avian influenza confirmed in two birds in the NWT – what you need to know

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC) has confirmed two cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), otherwise known as bird flu, in a raven and a ring-billed gull in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories . ECC will continue to conduct additional testing on any potential cases of HPAI should they occur. There have been 9 confirmed cases of HPAI in birds in the Northwest Territories since 2022.

Ehts'o nàtsʼeelıı (We Sew Beads) exhibit by Tłı̨chǫ Dene Matthew Vukson coming to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre

Ehts'o nàtsʼeelıı (We Sew Beads) by Tłı̨chǫ Dene Matthew Vukson is a new exhibit opening at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC). The opening reception will be on June 5, 2025, from 7:00-8:30pm.

Winners of 2025 Accessibility Impact Awards Announced

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to announce the three recipients of the 2025 Accessibility Impact Awards. This event is an opportunity for the Government of the Northwest Territories, the NWT Disabilities Council, and the NWT Human Rights Commission to recognize and celebrate the outstanding people and businesses advancing accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the territory.

YZF fee increase starting July 1, 2025

Parking and airport fees at the Yellowknife Airport (YZF) will increase on July 1, 2025 following the amendment of the Public Airports Fees and Public Airports Traffic Regulations.

The details of the current and new fees are available on this backgrounder.

The proposed changes aim to better align YZF’s fees with comparable airports across Canada, ensuring the airport remains financially sustainable while providing high-quality services. The previous airport fee increase was in 2017.

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