Public Service Announcement

Fire Ban for Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park

Due to fire danger in the region, a fire ban has been put into effect for Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park in Fort Smith, prohibiting open fires. The ban, which is in addition to any regional fire bans in place by NWT Fire, is effective immediately and will remain in place until July 30, 2024.

Camp stoves, enclosed barbeques, and propane-fueled cooking and heating devices are permitted for use in NWT Parks, but must be placed within regulation fire pits and should not emit a flame more than 0.5 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres in height.

Fire Ban for Hay River Territorial Park

Due to fire danger in the region, a fire ban has been put into effect for Hay River Territorial Park, prohibiting open fires. The ban, which is in addition to any regional fire bans in place by NWT Fire, is effective immediately and will remain in place until July 30, 2024.

Camp stoves, enclosed barbeques, and propane-fueled cooking and heating devices are permitted for use in NWT Parks, but must be placed within regulation fire pits and should not emit a flame more than 0.5 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres in height.

Apply for funding for small and medium-scale arts projects and events

 The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is now accepting funding proposals for both the Small and Medium Arts Project Grants for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The Small Arts Project Grant provides up to $5,000 to emerging to mid-career artists, craftspeople and small groups to cover costs for small-scale arts projects (e.g., traditional apparel, paintings, etc.) such as art supplies (e.g., beads, thread, furs, etc.) studio fees, illustration and design costs, and artistic development.

Elevators and Lifts Act and Regulations Come into Force

The Elevators and Lifts Act and corresponding regulations came into force today.

Helping to formalize authority, resolve regulatory gaps and provide a standard framework to align legislation of elevating devices in the Northwest Territories (NWT) with the rest of Canada, the Elevators and Lifts Act received assent in November 2022 but could not come into force until the Regulations were completed and ready to be adopted.

Essential dredging work planned at Liard River Ferry Landings

To ensure a safe navigation path for the M.V. Lafferty Ferry, essential dredging work at the Liard River Ferry Landings will be conducted between August 15 and September 18, 2024.

Located at kilometer 457 on Highway 1 near Fort Simpson, a long-reach excavator will remove approximately 8,000 cubic meters of material such as boulders, cobbles and other sediment from the ferry’s path. Work should not delay or change the ferry operation schedule, but the public will be advised of any changes as needed.

Notice of the establishment of the Hamlet of Tsiigehtchic

The community of Tsiigehtchic was formally established as a Hamlet effective July 1, 2024.

On May 23, 2023, 76% of voters in Tsiigehtchic supported changing the status of the Charter Community Government of Tsiigehtchic to a Hamlet.

The status change results in two distinct and separate government structures: a Hamlet Council and a band council. As a Hamlet, the authority and operations of the community government are more easily defined and separated, and all residents who are eligible to vote are able to vote and/or run for Mayor and Councillor positions.

Introduction of Post-Secondary Education Accountability Framework

Today, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) introduced the Post-Secondary Education Accountability Framework, which establishes a reporting structure for the post-secondary education system in the Northwest Territories.

The Framework, guided by feedback from post-secondary education partners, outlines the performance measures and responsibilities for post-secondary institutional reporting, and has two purposes:  

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