YELLOWKNIFE (September 26, 2014) – Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty met with stakeholders from across the Northwest Territories (NWT) this week to discuss labour market needs and new initiatives.

Aboriginal governments and organizations, mining and exploration, non-governmental organizations and industry representatives met to hear about the new Canada Job Fund and Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDA) and to discuss labour market needs throughout the NWT.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 26, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) demonstrated its commitment to addressing the high cost of living in the NWT when Premier Bob McLeod and Finance Minister and Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) J. Michael Miltenberger announced today that the GNWT will cover the $20 million in additional costs NTPC faces as a result of extreme low water conditions on the Snare hydro system this summer.

FORT SMITH (September 25, 2014) – Residents of Fort Smith will become the newest beneficiaries of electronic medical information systems, as the Government of the Northwest Territories continues its roll-out of the Territorial Electronic Medical Record (EMR) project. Authorized health professionals will have instant access to the medical information of patients, which enhances patient continuity of care.

Federation Literacy Award and the Ministerial Literacy Awards were honoured yesterday during the annual Adult Learners’ Luncheon in Yellowknife.

These awards were created by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in 2002 and the Council of the Federation in 2005 to recognize adult learners that have overcome learning and literacy challenges or championed literacy to learners of all ages.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 23, 2014) – The skills and talent of Northwest Territories artists will be showcased during NWT Arts Week, September 20–28. Residents and visitors are invited to participate in events taking place throughout the territory. “NWT artists make significant and valuable cultural contributions to communities across the territory,” said Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 19, 2014) – Leaders and officials from the Government of the Northwest Territories, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Northwest Territory Métis Nation, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Gwich’in Tribal Council, Tłı̨chǫ Government, Salt River First Nation and Denínu Kų́ę́ First Nation attended the first Intergovernmental Council meeting today in Yellowknife.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 18, 2014) – Minister of Justice David Ramsay today announced the appointment of the Honourable Judge Christine Gagnon to the position of Chief Judge of the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories.

Under the Territorial Court Act, the Chief Judge is appointed to a non-renewable term of five years. The term of the current Chief Judge, the Honourable Chief Judge Robert Gorin, will expire on October 2, 2014 at 5 pm at which point the new Chief Judge’s term will take effect.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 18, 2014) – Over $100,000 in funding is being issued to eligible NWT trappers as part of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) Trapper’s Grubstake Program.

“Traditional harvesting is an important element of the NWT’s economy and the Trapper’s Grubstake Program helps to offset some of the start-up costs required at the beginning of the season,” said Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) Minister David Ramsay. “Our trappers are the very best in their trade and, as a result, so is the fur they ship to market.”

YELLOWKNIFE (September 17, 2014) – New data released today by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) confirms that actions the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is undertaking to support the healthy development of children in the NWT are focused on areas of greatest need. The information was collected over three years using the Early Development Instrument (EDI), a standardized method of measuring readiness to learn that is used across Canada and in several other countries.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 17, 2014) – Department of Transportation staff continued to ensure the safety of NWT roads and highways by conducting brake inspections in four communities last week.

“Safe driving is everyone’s responsibility, and all drivers need to keep their vehicles in safe operating condition,” said Minister of Transportation Tom Beaulieu. “If your brakes aren’t working, you are a hazard to yourself and to other drivers.”