Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Public Service, and Lesa Semmler, Minister of Health and Social Services, issued the following statement today regarding public service modernization and efforts to strengthen the health and social services system.

Minister Caroline Wawzonek:

“The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has been undertaking a comprehensive, multi-phase modernization of the Public Service Act to ensure it continues to meet the needs of a modern workforce and a modern public service.

Work on phase one of the Public Service Act modernization has been underway for some time, supported by extensive consultation with the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) over several years. The outcome of this effort includes provisions for the safe disclosure of wrongdoing and updates that reflect current practices in job evaluation, hiring, labour relations, and gender inclusivity. We will introduce this new Bill later this year.

Although the work in phase one was extensive, it did not address section 41 of the Public Service Act, which establishes bargaining units and defines employee associations for the GNWT’s public service. Phase two will focus on options to modernize this section of the Act. This work has now begun and will include consideration of processes used across Canada, industry best practices, and the context of our northern workforce. In addition to policy research, we are committed to ongoing engagement with the UNW and PSAC. As with other major legislative undertakings, we will also engage employees and the public at large.

We recognize that important conversations have been taking place - both within the public service and in the media - around union representation of nurses. Our work on phase two of the Public Service Act will look at the structure of bargaining units from the perspective of the whole of government to ensure the Act provides a transparent and modern framework that respects employees’ right to representation.

In addition to this legislative process, we are taking action to support healthier workplaces and to continually promote our public service opportunities through competitive wages and salaries - among the best in Canada. There are also several aspects of workplace quality that can be improved through collaboration beyond the collective agreement and bargaining process, such as scheduling, workplace engagement, and safety supports. We are committed to advancing this important work.

I also want to acknowledge the important role of unions in building and maintaining a strong and effective public service. Collaboration with our bargaining agents was a critical component of phase one and will continue to be critical as we move through phase two. We remain committed to working collaboratively in the months ahead to meet our target of having phase two ready for review in 2026 and, ultimately, to having a fully updated Public Service Act in place during the life of this government.

Through the modernization of the Public Service Act, we are committed to building a public service that better reflects the diverse needs of those who work within it — and ultimately, to strengthening the services and supports that residents across the Northwest Territories rely on every day.”

Minister Lesa Semmler:

“As someone who spent years working on the frontlines of our health system, I understand firsthand the frustrations and pressures that health and social services staff and practitioners are facing.

Despite past efforts to improve recruitment, retention, and workplace wellness, many challenges persist - and frontline workers are telling us that more support is needed. We hear those concerns, and we are acting.

Over the past several months, I had the opportunity to meet directly with staff across the Northwest Territories through a series of town hall conversations. These discussions have been invaluable in hearing concerns firsthand, answering questions, and sharing my goals for strengthening our health and social services system.

Across regions, staff raised consistent priorities - including the need for continued focus on leadership responsiveness and workplace culture, ongoing action on recruitment, retention, and career development, along with better alignment of resources to community and staff needs.

Their feedback reaffirmed the importance of the work already underway, including the appointment of a Public Administrator to help lead system-wide improvements and strengthen support for both staff and leadership. While this work is ongoing, it reflects a serious commitment to building a stronger, more resilient workforce and health and social services system.

We continue to invest in measures to improve employee well-being, expand mental health supports, enhance workplace safety, and ensure frontline voices are meaningfully included in decision-making. We recognize that our efforts must also go further - and we are determined to do more.

Our nurses, doctors, social workers, allied health professionals, and all frontline staff are the backbone of our health and social services system. Their voices matter. Their well-being matters. And together, we are committed to building a stronger, safer, and more supportive health and social services system for all residents of the Northwest Territories.”

For media requests, please contact:
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
PressSecretary@gov.nt.ca