One case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, has been confirmed by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in a herring gull in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. The transmission risk to humans remains very low.
Newsroom
Yellowknife –
July 9, 2026
Public Service Announcement
Yellowknife –
June 30, 2026
Public Service Announcement
Fire Restrictions are in place for all public and private lands in the North Slave Region, effective immediately. For the South Slave Region, restrictions go into effect as of 12:00 a.m., July 1st. This ban does not apply in National Parks.
This affects the following communities:
Backgrounder:
June 26, 2026
Media Statement
Minister Macdonald provides a response to Wednesday evening’s plane crash and the loss of three firefighting personnel:
Yellowknife –
June 16, 2026
Public Service Announcement
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has confirmed the first case of white-nose syndrome (WNS) and the fungus that causes the disease (Pseudogymnoascus destructans or Pd) in the Fort Smith area as part of ongoing bat monitoring.
Yellowknife –
June 9, 2026
Public Service Announcement
Draft Best Management Practices to mitigate the effects of roads on barren-ground caribou are now ready for public feedback. Public engagement is a crucial part of the process.
Yellowknife –
June 5, 2026
Public Service Announcement
Preventing human-caused wildfires is a shared responsibility, and we encourage residents and visitors to keep this front of mind this season.
May 28, 2026
Ministers' Statements and Speeches
Check against delivery.
Mr. Speaker, we are more prepared for wildfires this year than we have been heading into any other previous season, and that is good news for everyone.
Yellowknife –
May 21, 2026
News Releases
Today, a new tool in the Northwest Territories wildfire and community emergency response toolkit was unveiled.
Backgrounder:
Yellowknife –
May 19, 2026
Media Statement
Minister Jay Macdonald, Minister Caitlin Cleveland, and Minister Caroline Wawzonek issued the following statements today in response to the launch of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board’s new Regional Database and Major Project Review Tool.
Yellowknife –
May 19, 2026
Public Service Announcement
Applications for Northwest Territories Youth Water Stewardship and Mentorship Grant Program Now Open
Apply now for the Northwest Territories Youth Water Stewardship and Mentorship Grant Program, designed to empower young leaders in water stewardship.