YELLOWKNIFE (July 6, 2018) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Northwest Territories Medical Association (NWTMA) are pleased to announce that they have ratified an agreement on a contract for physician services in the Northwest Territories. The previous contract between the GNWT and the NWTMA expired on March 31, 2016.
Discussions for a new agreement began in January 2016 and ended in May 2018 when both sides reached an agreement in principle. The final agreement was ratified by both parties in early June 2018.
Quotes:
“Discussions for a new agreement took place in a challenging fiscal and economic environment however the parties were successful in achieving agreement due to their shared focus on the need to continue to provide high quality physician services to NWT residents while maintaining fiscal sustainability.”
-Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Finance
“I am pleased that both parties were able to work collaboratively to reach an agreement that will benefit all NWT residents. Providing physician services in the NWT is both challenging and rewarding, and this agreement recognizes the important role of physicians to achieving health outcomes for NWT residents.”
-Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services
“I am pleased that the NWTMA and the government were able to work together to address working condition issues and reach an agreement that is fair, reasonable, and that recognizes the contribution that physicians provide in the delivery of health and social services in the NWT.”
-Katherine Breen, President of the Northwest Territories Medical Association
Quick Facts:
- The new agreement between the GNWT and NWTMA is a 5-year term: April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2021.
- The previous agreement expired March 31, 2016 and had a four-year term: April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2016.
Related Link:
Media Contact:
Todd Sasaki
Communications Officer
Department of Finance
Government of the Northwest Territories
Ph: 1-867-767-9151 ext. 14032
Email: todd_sasaki@gov.nt.ca