Premier R.J. Simpson issued the following statement today regarding interim Cabinet arrangements:

“Earlier today, Minister Lucy Kuptana advised me that she has decided to seek election as Chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

“I respect her decision to pursue this opportunity. At the same time, it is important that the Government of the Northwest Territories carries out its work in a way that does not influence, and is not perceived to influence, external governance processes.

“In this situation, there is clear potential for a real or perceived conflict of interest between Minister Kuptana’s role as a member of Executive Council and her candidacy for this position. While it is not within my authority as Premier to remove a colleague from the Executive Council, my responsibility is to take appropriate steps to protect the integrity of Cabinet decision-making and maintain public confidence in government.

“For that reason, I have reassigned Minister Kuptana’s ministerial portfolios, effective at 4:00 p.m. on December 17, 2025,, to ensure appropriate distance while she pursues this opportunity. I have also asked her to voluntarily refrain from participating in Cabinet and Cabinet committee meetings, from using ministerial resources, and from representing herself as a Minister of the GNWT for the duration of her candidacy.

“These steps are intended to provide clarity, maintain public confidence, and ensure the work of government continues without disruption.

“Housing is one of the key priorities of our government and a core focus of our Mandate. To ensure this work continues to move forward, I will assume responsibility for the Housing portfolio on an interim basis, building on the progress already underway to deliver more homes for Northerners. Minister Lesa Semmler will assume responsibility for the Status of Women portfolio, ensuring that this important work continues without interruption.

“Our government remains focused on the work ahead. We will continue to move forward in a steady and meaningful way, and to deliver progress on the priorities that matter to people across the Northwest Territories.”

Quick Facts

• The Northwest Territories operates under a consensus system of government, in which Members of the Executive Council are selected by the Legislative Assembly and appointed by the Commissioner.
• Members of the Executive Council remain in that role unless they resign or are removed by the Legislative Assembly. The Premier does not have the authority to remove a Member from the Executive Council.
• The Premier is responsible for assigning ministerial portfolios to Members of the Executive Council, and may reassign those portfolios as needed to ensure the effective and ethical operation of government.
• In this case, Minister Lucy Kuptana remains a Member of the Executive Council, but her ministerial portfolios have been reassigned on an interim basis.

Media contact:
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
PressSecretary@gov.nt.ca