Northwest Territories News

YELLOWKNIFE (January 13, 2015) – Minister or Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty announced a substantial increase to the Northwest Territories minimum wage today.

Effective June 1, 2015, the minimum wage will increase from $10.00 per hour to $12.50 per hour, giving the NWT one of the highest minimum wages in Canada. The increase was based on findings from the Minimum Wage Committee, appointed by Minister Lafferty in 2013 to research, engage stakeholders and provide options on the minimum wage rate in the NWT.

“We all want to lead successful and prosperous lives. We all want opportunities that enable us to take care of our families and support our communities.   And we all want to be fairly compensated for our work,” said Minister Lafferty. “The move to increase the minimum wage is part of ongoing Government of the Northwest Territories efforts to support the people of the NWT and ensure they have opportunities, possibilities, and a fair wage.”

Minister Lafferty appointed the Minimum Wage Committee in 2013 after a public call for applications. The members were chosen to represent the GNWT, the interests of employers and employees, and social agencies. The committee conducted extensive research, looked at economic and social factors, compared costs of living across jurisdictions, and surveyed minimum wages across Canada. Following their deliberations, the Committee provided options to the Minister for his consideration.

“The Committee provided me with three options to address the need for an increase,” said the Minister. “We looked very carefully at each and determined that the $12.50 option would not only serve to help those people working under minimum wage, but would be manageable for employers.”

For more information, view the attached materials, or visit www.ece.gov.nt.ca.

Backgrounder- NWT Minimum Wage

Media inquiries:

Jacqueline McKinnon

Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Education, Culture and Employment
Phone: (867) 920-6222
Email: jacqueline_mckinnon@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (January 8, 2015) – Earlier this week, Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), announced a call for nominations for the Northwest Territories (NWT) Outstanding Volunteer Awards. This year marks the 25th year of this award, which recognizes the remarkable contributions volunteers make in communities across the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Residents are encouraged to nominate a youth, elder, group or outstanding volunteer in their communities. This program acknowledges individuals who donate their time to improve the quality of life for NWT residents.

“We have a strong volunteer sector with committed people doing great work in our communities,” said Minister McLeod. “The Government of the NWT supports volunteers and their work, and encourages more people to get involved. Strong volunteers build strong communities.”

Awards are presented in the following categories:

·         Youth Volunteer Award

·         Elder Volunteer Award

·         Outstanding Group

·         Outstanding Volunteer

The deadline for nominations is March 20, 2015.

Supporting volunteers who build sustainable, vibrant, safe communities is an important part of Believing in People and Building on the Strengths of Northerners, as envisioned in the goals of the 17th Assembly of the GNWT.

Further information and nomination forms are available at all MACA and community government offices and at www.maca.gov.nt.ca.

For more information, contact:

David Maguire
Communications and Website Advisor
Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
Phone: (867) 920-3092

YELLOWKNIFE (January 7, 2015) – Premier Bob McLeod and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay will lead a delegation to China and Japan from January 10-21, 2015.

The purpose of the mission is to continue to strengthen trade ties with China, building on the success of the 2012 Council of Federation trade mission and the January 2014 Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) trade mission. This year’s mission has been expanded to include a stop in Japan, allowing the GNWT to promote NWT tourism, diamonds and wild fur directly to Japanese industry specialists and explore possibilities for Japanese investment in the NWT.

Attendance at the 41st annual Beijing Fur and Leather Show will be a major focus of the trip to China, where the Premier and Minister will promote NWT wild fur to attendees. Meetings with key Ministers and executives are planned for Japan, as well as an NWT Gala with 120 invited guests from the Japanese tourism, diamond and fur sectors.

Media availabilities during the trade mission will be announced as they become available. Speeches and presentations will be posted to the GNWT’s news site.

Media inquiries:

Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the NWT
Tel:  867) 669-2302
Email:   brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca

Backgrounder – 2015 China and Japan Trade Mission

YELLOWKNIFE (January 5, 2015) – Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy announced today that the Stanton Territorial Health Authority (STHA) has awarded the air ambulance contract to Air Tindi Ltd. and Advanced Medical Solutions Inc., dba ACCESS (Aeromedical Critical Care Emergency Services Specialists). The eight-year contract was awarded following an extensive evaluation process by STHA and the Department of Health and Social Services.

“Air ambulance service is an essential part of the NWT Health Care System and integral in ensuring patients across the NWT can receive the best care possible,” said Minister Abernethy. “These are very large and important contracts and finding a contractor to meet all of our needs in an efficient and cost-effective manner was extremely important. A lot of work was done in putting together the responses we received and in the evaluation process and I am pleased with the outcome.”

“We are excited to have been awarded this contract,” said Al Martin, President of Air Tindi. “Working with Advanced Medical Solutions, we will be implementing innovations through replacement aircraft and more dedicated facilities to allow us to provide the best quality of care to NWT residents. We look forward to working closely with the team at Stanton Territorial Health Authority.”

“Air Tindi,  Advance Medical Solutions and Stanton Territorial Health Authority have worked closely together during the past seven years to establish a best-in-class air ambulance service for the Northwest Territories. We are very excited to build on our current relationship and provide an even better solution for air ambulance services.  We are proud of the changes the new contract offers, most importantly, the opportunity to enhance the training and specialized competencies of our current critical care teams enabling us to deliver patient care at its highest level,” said Sean Ivens, President and CEO of Advanced Medical Solutions Inc.

With the current contracts for the air ambulance service ending March 31, 2015, STHA issued a Request for Proposals on April 28, 2014. The submission period closed on June 20, 2014 and four proposals were received.

The current air ambulance contract is held by Air Tindi Ltd., while the personnel services contract has been held by Advanced Medical Solutions (AMS) Inc. The contract for Air Tindi has cost $53.9 million from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2014, while the contract held by AMS has cost $18.2 million from August 15, 2007 to March 31, 2014.

Over the past five years, there were an average of just over 1000 yearly flight dispatches. Using aircraft specifically fitted with medical equipment and staffed with appropriate medical personnel, air ambulance services transport sick or injured people to and from healthcare facilities in the NWT and Alberta.

Backgrounder – Air Ambulance Services

Media inquiries:

Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the NWT
Tel:  867) 669-2302
Email:   brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca

Alasdair Martin
President, Air Tindi
Cell:  (867) 444-9082

YELLOWKNIFE (January 5, 2015) –The Northwest Territories is encouraging greater representation of women on corporate boards and in senior management by making changes to its securities rules.

The amendments to the securities rules are intended to increase transparency for investors and other stakeholders regarding the representation of women on boards of directors and in senior management. This transparency is intended to assist investors in making investment and voting decisions and will apply to all non-venture issuers reporting in the NWT.

“Helping women reach their full potential by supporting them in leadership is part of this government’s commitment to creating sustainable, healthy communities,” says Minister Responsible for Women, Premier Bob McLeod. “Increasing the role of women in leadership is not just about equality for women. It is about strengthening our territory for the benefit of all Northwest Territories residents.” 

The Northwest Territories is joining eight other provinces and territories in adopting these amendments, which came into effect on December 31, 2014.  Under the new securities rules, companies reporting to the NWT Securities Office that list on major stock exchanges such as the Toronto Stock Exchange would be required to disclose:

• the number of women on the board and in executive officer positions;
• policies regarding the representation of women on the board;
• targets related to the representation of women on the board and in executive officer positions;
• any consideration of the representation of women in the director identification and selection process; and
• any consideration of the representation of women in executive officer positions when making executive officer appointments.

The rule amendments provide for a “comply or explain” model.  An issuer is not required to have any particular gender diversity policies, practices or targets in place as part of its corporate governance practices but, if not, the issuer must disclose why it has not done so.

“The changes are intended to ensure that investors and other stakeholders are better informed about the composition of corporate boards and senior management teams,” said Minister of Justice David Ramsay. “We hope this will lead to more women on the boards of major Canadian companies, as well as in senior management positions.”

The rule amendments were finalized after a period of public and stakeholder consultation, firstly by the Ontario Securities Commission and later by other provinces and territories through the Canadian Securities Administrators.  The amendments, which will apply in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Québec and Saskatchewan, are made under the authority of the securities legislation of each jurisdiction.  The present NWT Securities Act was enacted in 2008. 

Media inquiries:
Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2304
Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (December 22, 2014) – The 2014 Energy Charrette Report was released today. The report summarizes discussions that took place among over 100 representatives from NWT communities, Aboriginal governments, industry, energy experts and other government officials on November 3-4, 2014 in Yellowknife. 

Prepared by charrette facilitators R. Marshall and Associates, the report states that participants identified affordability as the number one objective, reflecting residents’ concerns with the high cost of living. Other suggestions brought forward during the 2014 charrette include:

• Be more aggressive on energy efficiency and conservation;
• Find ways to use excess energy in the Taltson hydro grid;
• Continue to build on biomass energy efforts;
• Continue to consider community-scale and regional energy supply projects; and
• Consider a “portfolio” approach that recognizes the different challenges and opportunities available to communities.

Premier Bob McLeod, who is also Chair of the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, called for the 2014 Energy Charrette on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). “We need to recalibrate our plans. We need to consider the approach we take to energy to ensure it is affordable in the short term and sustainable for communities in the long term.”

“This report reflects what myself and seven other facilitators heard during the discussions at the Energy Charrette,” said Rob Marshall of R. Marshall and Associates. “It will now be for the GNWT to consider the ideas developed at the Energy Charrette and to determine actions that could be taken.”

The GNWT will be asking the public for comments on the report until February 2, 2015 to allow for input from residents who did not have an opportunity to attend the charrette. Input on the 2014 Energy Charrette Report can be provided to the GNWT by sending comments to nwtenergy@gov.nt.ca .

Based on public input and the suggestions in the charrette report, the GNWT will develop a response outlining potential directions and next steps for energy in the NWT. The GNWT response is expected to be released by early March 2015.

Click here to access the 2014 NWT Energy Charrette Report. 

Backgrounder – 2014 Energy Charrette

Media inquiries:    

Shaun Dean
Director, Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2304
Email: shaun_dean@gov.nt.ca

Rob Marshall
R. Marshall and Associates
Tel:  867-669-6242
Email: rob@RMAConsulting.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (December 22, 2014) – Minister David Ramsay, Government of the Northwest Territories Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations, and Willard Hagen, Chair of the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on December 19.

The MOU signals the intent of both regulators to work together to carry out their respective responsibilities while providing for a comprehensive and timely review of applications under each regulator’s jurisdiction. The MOU lays the foundation for cooperation in areas such as preliminary screening, mapping and geographic information systems, inspections and site visits, and training and capacity building. 

“The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board is an important partner in the regulation of oil and gas activities in the NWT onshore. This cooperative arrangement is an important step to ensure responsible  stewardship of resources,” said Minister Ramsay.

“This MOU represents the ongoing commitment of the Board to work with our resource management partners to ensure the regulatory regime is integrated, coordinated and efficient,” said Willard Hagen.

The MOU is available on the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations (OROGO) website www.oilandgasregulator.iti.gov.nt.ca and the MVLWB website at www.mvlwb.com.

Media inquiries:

Leslie Campbell
Senior Communications Officer
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-3343
Email: Leslie_Campbell@gov.nt.ca

Zabey Nevitt
Executive Director
Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board
Tel: (867)766-7457
Email: zabey@mvlwb.com

YELLOWKNIFE (December 19, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is proposing the creation of a mobile core conservation zone around collared cows from the Bathurst caribou herd. No harvesting of Bathurst caribou would be permitted in this conservation zone.

The proposal comes as discussions between the GNWT, political leaders from Aboriginal governments and wildlife management authorities to consider management actions for the Bathurst and Bluenose-East caribou herds continue.  Progress has been made in numerous areas, but participants have not reached consensus on harvest restrictions for either herd.

Trends from reconnaissance surveys of calving grounds conducted in June 2014 suggest both herds are declining at an alarming rate and the GNWT has concerns that any harvest on the Bathurst caribou herd is not sustainable.

“Bathurst caribou collar data suggests the core Bathurst herd remains tightly grouped since leaving the calving grounds in the spring,” said Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Minister J. Michael Miltenberger. “This presents an opportunity to implement a creative solution that protects the herd and allows for subsistence Aboriginal harvesting.”

The mobile conservation zone concept continues to be discussed with Aboriginal governments.  Until these discussions are concluded, ENR will not be issuing authorizations for the harvesting of Bathurst caribou.

The GNWT, Aboriginal government leaders and wildlife management authorities have also been considering interim recommendations from the Advisory Committee for Cooperation on Wildlife Management (ACWM) for the Bluenose-East herd that include a harvest target of 2,800 animal (including approximately 1,800 for NWT harvesters). ENR agrees with a majority of the recommendations and will work with co-management partners to implement them.

ENR believes a target of 2,500 (including 1,500 for NWT harvesters) would be more reasonable and will closely monitor harvesting of Bluenose East caribou until consensus is reached on an interim harvest target for the 2014-2015 season. The GNWT will pursue options for further limiting the harvest should monitoring indicate a rapid decline in the Bluenose East herd.

Media inquiries:

Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2302
Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca

Redistributed on behalf of Conference of Management Authorities

Two species to be added to NWT Species At Risk List

YELLOWKNIFE (December 16, 2014) – The new Legal Aid Act will come into force on December 28, 2014, providing a framework for the delivery of legal aid services for the people of the Northwest Territories.

“Legal aid provides advice and counsel for those in our most vulnerable populations”, said Minister of Justice David Ramsay. “The new Act underpins the delivery of those critical services, both for criminal and family law clients.”

Replacing the existing Legal Services Act and substituting a Legal Aid Commission for the current Legal Services Board, the new legislation provides a modernized governance and operational structure for  the delivery of legal aid services using an integrated staff lawyer/private practitioner model.

Lou Sebert, the chairperson of the Legal Services Board, will become the first chairperson of the Legal Services Commission. Mr. Sebert has served in private practice in Fort Smith for over 30 years. “So much has changed in the legal aid system since the old Legal Services Act was enacted in 1979,” said Mr. Sebert. “In the beginning all services were provided by lawyers in private practice.  Now, 35 years later, the bulk of legal aid work is performed by staff lawyers employed in one of our four clinics.  What remains unchanged is a generous eligibility policy and an ongoing commitment to the provision of high quality legal services.”

New regulations that include a revised tariff of fees that private practitioners may charge for the provision of legal aid services will also come into force in conjunction with the Act.  Those fees, which vary based on years of experience of counsel, were last adjusted in 2006.

The new Act also requires that a review be conducted every 10 years.

Media inquiries:

Sue Glowach
Senior Communications Advisor
Department of Justice
Tel: 867-920-3130

Lou Sebert,
Chair, Legal Services Commission (name change effective Dec. 28, 2014)
Tel: 867-872-2199

Redistributed on behalf of the Species at Risk Committee

Results of 2014 NWT Species Assessments

YELLOWKNIFE (December 12, 2014) – Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty met last week with Aboriginal governments from across the Northwest Territories to generate ideas for a 10-year culture and heritage strategic framework. This is a new initiative of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) which will help GNWT departments align their work with a shared set of cultural principles during the next decade. The framework will be the first of its kind in the NWT.

“Cultural identity is part of what makes Northerners who we are and supports personal and community wellness,” said Minister Lafferty. “Government has a responsibility to preserve, promote, document and present culture and heritage and ensure it shapes government decisions, policies and programs. Aboriginal governments have rights respecting their culture, language and heritage resources and it is essential that we work together on this initiative.”

The meeting focused on three main activities: learning how Aboriginal governments have woven culture and heritage into their work, identifying ways that Aboriginal governments and public government can work more closely together to preserve and promote culture, and exploring what cultural principles should form the foundation of a culture and heritage strategic framework.

The results from the meeting will be combined with the results from similar meetings being held across the NWT.  A draft culture and heritage strategic framework is planned for summer 2015.

Media inquiries:

Jacqueline McKinnon
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Tel: (867) 920-6222
Email: jacqueline_mckinnon@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (December 12, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is congratulating FOXY (Fostering Open eXpression among Youth), recipients of the third annual Arctic Inspiration Prize announced Wednesday night in Ottawa.Premier McLeod spoke today about the importance of empowering young women in the NWT and the key role they play as our future leaders.

“Congratulations to FOXY and all the young women who have contributed to its success while participating in their programs,” said Premier Bob McLeod, Minister Responsible for Women. “FOXY’s unique approach to participatory action research brings young women together as peers to talk about their experiences and the challenges they face growing up in small Northern communities and turns that real-life knowledge into practical solutions that are in touch with Northern realities. I am pleased to see the value of this approach and the knowledge it can contribute to the understanding of life in the North recognized on a national level.”

Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy attended the award presentation ceremony. “Supporting people to help identify their own priorities and solutions for addressing some of the pervasive health and social challenges Northerners face is a central principle of our government’s approach to promoting personal and community wellness,” said Minister Abernethy. “FOXY uses the arts to facilitate discussion and learning about sensitive topics and complements the GNWT’s own community-based youth programming. I am a big supporter of FOXY and congratulate them on being the first winners of the whole $1 million Arctic Inspiration Prize.”

FOXY is a northern-based, youth-led sexual health education program that has been operating in the Northwest Territories for three years. It focuses on the complex determinants of sexual health in the Canadian North, not just visible indicators of sexual health problems and provides honest, realistic and comprehensive education that empowers youth to make their own informed decisions. It recognizes and addresses the link between sexual health and mental health and supports youth to pursue healthy relationships based on equality, respect and consent. By encouraging youth to connect with their cultures and helping foster the growth of young leaders and strong social support networks, FOXY also contributes to community wellness.

GNWT support for FOXY has included financial contributions totaling $115,000 for leadership retreats and school workshops from the Departments of Municipal and Community Affairs and Health and Social Services during the past two years, as well as in-kind services of a mental health worker for the 2013 Peer Leadership Retreat. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has also accredited FOXY programming for delivery in NWT high schools.

Premier McLeod nominated FOXY for the Arctic Inspiration Prize in September of 2014; the nomination was supported with letters from Minister Abernethy, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Robert C. McLeod and Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Jackson Lafferty.

Media inquiries:

Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2302
Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (December 11, 2014) – Traffic is flowing safely and reliably across both Dempster Highway ice crossings. This is the first year highway service to the Beaufort-Delta region has been interrupted for only a short time during freeze-up.

“For the first time ever, we have provided near-continuous highway service to Inuvik during freeze-up,” said Minister of Transportation Tom Beaulieu. “We operated both ferries 24 hours a day while constructing the ice bridges. This investment significantly increased access to the region. It lowered the cost of living, improved mobility and provided more secure energy resupply to the Beaufort-Delta during what has always been a time when reliable highway access was not possible.”

The bridges are now at a capacity to serve commercial traffic and bring cargo to and from local communities. The department is continuing the work that will bring them to their maximum load capacity.

Ice bridges are vital connections linking northerners to each other and delivering essential freight. In previous years, the Dempster Highway was closed while ice crossings were built over the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers. These closures lasted up to 28 days for light traffic and 41 days for heavy traffic. This winter, the highway was closed for eight days while ice channels were cut. The ferries then operated 24 hours per day in the channels while ice bridges were built nearby. The GNWT used a similar process at the Highway 3 crossing at Fort Providence in the last few years before the Deh Cho Bridge was opened.

Investments in transportation infrastructure support the priorities of the 17th Legislative Assembly by connecting northerners to each other and increasing their well-being and prosperity. Northerners, industry and tourists depend on ice crossings to move around safely, securely and reliably. Improved highway access to communities strengthens and diversifies the NWT economy, making northern businesses more competitive and lowering the cost of living.

Media inquiries:

Megan Holsapple
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Department of Transportation
Tel: (867) 873-7712
Email: megan_holsapple@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (December 9, 2015) – The Department of Health and Social Services’ annual Drop the Pop campaign will soon begin in schools across the NWT.

This is the 10th year of the pan-territorial campaign, which is part of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) commitment to support Healthy Choices. Schools across the North that participated last year were eligible to be acknowledged with a cash award for their efforts to promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyles.

A total of 15 NWT schools are being recognized as winners for their activities from the 2014 campaign. The theme for last year was Healthy, Traditional Drinks. Schools were asked to choose healthy beverages, such as teas and broths made from traditional, natural sources.  There were many wonderful examples of activities on this theme sent in by the schools. The winning schools will share a total of $16,000 in cash prizes. List of winning schools

“Congratulations to all the winners as well as everyone who participates in the campaign every year,” said Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy. “Prevention and education, starting with our children, are the best ways to help create healthy, supportive environments for our schools, families and communities and deliver on the Legislative Assembly’s goal of healthy, educated people.”

These awards kick off the 2014-2015 Drop the Pop campaign, which will celebrate its 10th year by revisiting a past theme, Water, Right from the Tap!, as a way to promote the best, most traditional drink in the north.

The Department of Health and Social Services works closely with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to provide health promotion and prevention initiatives that encourage healthy eating.

Sugary drink consumption – including pop and energy drinks – is very high in the NWT.  Too much sugar leads to high rates of dental diseases such as cavities.  Drinking too many sugary drinks also leads to childhood obesity.

For more information, visit the Drop the Pop website at www.dropthepopnwt.ca, the Health and Social Services website at www.hss.gov.nt.ca or the Healthy Choices website at www.choosenwt.com

The Healthy Choices Framework is the GNWT’s initiative to encourage NWT residents to make the right choices to protect their health, safety and well-being.  Healthy Eating is one of the pillars of the Framework intended to help meet the priority of the 17th Assembly to ensure a fair and sustainable health care system by investing in prevention, education, and awareness.

For more information contact:

Damien Healy
Manager, Communications
Department of Health and Social Services
Tel:           (867) 920-8927
Email:   damien_healy@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (November 5, 2014) – More than 100 delegates from across the Northwest Territories came together in Yellowknife over the past two days to hammer out an action plan to combat poverty in the NWT.

Participants in the Second Annual Northwest Territories Anti-Poverty Roundtable included representatives from community organizations, Aboriginal and community governments, non-government organizations and the private sector, representing every region of the NWT.  The event was hosted by the Department of Health and Social Services.

Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy, who also chairs the Social Envelope Committee of Cabinet, said that the purpose of the roundtable was to develop a territorial, multi-stakeholder action plan to combat poverty.  “Government is part of the solution but government can’t be the entire solution – we can beat poverty by creating partnerships, creating relationships and working together.”  Discussions at the session built on work initiated at a roundtable held in November 2013, following the publication of Building on the Strengths of Northerners:  A Strategic Framework toward the Elimination of Poverty in the NWT.

MLA Alfred Moses, Chair of the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Social Programs, congratulated the gathering for a productive two days.  “With the passion and energy in the room, the expertise of people who have done great things in their communities and the attention of the leadership who are listening, we can make great progress.”

Meeting Co-Chair Jim Antoine noted that an important theme was the sense of partnership, collaboration and cooperation.  Common themes that emerged from the discussion focused on homelessness, food security, the need for on-the-land programs, early childhood and wellness.  The commitments to action from the group will be incorporated into a draft territorial action plan document early in 2015.

The meeting began with a tribute to Chief Minnie Letcher of the Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson, who served as co-chair of the Minister’s Anti-Poverty Advisory Committee until her unexpected death last month.

Media inquiries:

Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2302
Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (December 4, 2014) – Seven Northwest Territories residents were recently certified to deliver the FirstHost Tourism Program to those working in the territory’s emerging Aboriginal tourism sector.

Developed by the Native Education College in British Columbia and modified by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) for delivery in the NWT, the training program focused on developing front-line skills and techniques to enhance customer service excellence and celebrate Aboriginal culture.

Janet Kanoyuk from Ulukhaktok; Gerry Antoine, Fort Simpson; Rachenda Weyallon, Behchoko; Pearl Leishman, Fort Providence; Kayley Mackay and Be’sha Blondin, Yellowknife; and Bryanna Modeste, Délįnę; completed the  training session held for the first time last month in Yellowknife.

“Congratulations to all participants who received the certification,” said ITI Minister David Ramsay.  “Our industry needs trained hosts who understand how to deliver this product in a manner that both promotes and respects the integrity of the cultures and traditions that we are sharing. Increasing capacity in this area will help our government deliver on its commitment to growing a diversified economy that provides opportunities for residents in all regions and communities.”

ITI is open to invitations from communities who are interested in hosting the program.

Investments in tourism training reflect the ongoing implementation of the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy identified by the 17th Assembly to fulfil its priority of strengthening and diversifying the economy.

Media inquiries:

Leslie Campbell
Senior Communications Officer
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Tel: (867) 920-3343
Email: leslie_campbell@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (December 3, 2014) – A new book documents the history of the Mackenzie River, the people of the region and the crossing at Fort Providence.

Bridging the Dehcho explores the ancient history of the region and describes the arrival of Sir Alexander Mackenzie, the fur traders and missionaries. It describes the construction of the Mackenzie Highway and tells the stories of the crews who built the ice bridge and ran the ferries for over 50 years before the Deh Cho Bridge was opened. The book also documents the evolution and construction of the bridge project and paints a portrait of the community of Fort Providence.

“The Mackenzie River and the people in the region surrounding the Deh Cho are important parts of our heritage,” said Minister of Transportation Tom Beaulieu. “Long before highways were built through the NWT, the river provided a critical connection for cultural and economic activities. We carry on that tradition today and we tell the stories of those who worked along the crossing.”

The 92-page, full-colour hardcover book has been over three years in the making, with principal photography and writing by Yellowknife author Bill Braden. It was commissioned and published by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

“It’s a story that anyone who has ever sailed on the ferries or driven the ice bridge will enjoy,” said Braden. “It was part of the way we lived for over 50 years. And now with the completion of the bridge, it’s a book the visitor will also enjoy.”

Strategic investments in the Deh Cho Bridge and other transportation infrastructure support economic growth and improve GNWT services in communities. Since it opened on November 29, 2012, the Deh Cho Bridge has provided year-round access to the territory’s capital, strengthening northerners’ connections to each other and the rest of Canada.

Bridging the Dehcho will be for sale at several retail outlets. Braden will be signing the book on December 3 in Fort Providence and on December 6-7 at the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre and Book Cellar in Yellowknife.

Media inquiries:

Megan Holsapple
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Department of Transportation
Tel: (867) 873-7712
Email: megan_holsapple@gov.nt.ca

Bill Braden
Tel: (867) 445-8953
Email: billbradenphoto@gmail.com

Yellowknife (November 28, 2014) – The new Wildlife Act for the Northwest Territories (NWT) comes into force today.

The new Act provides the tools needed to manage and conserve wildlife for the benefit of current and future generations in the NWT and reflects the interests of all residents of the NWT.

“This new legislation is the result of a collaborative process between our government, wildlife co-management boards, Aboriginal governments and extensive consultation and public engagement,” said Environment and Natural Resources Minister J. Michael Miltenberger. “It promotes cooperative and collaborative working relationships for effective wildlife management at the local, regional and territorial levels and recognizes Aboriginal and treaty rights and the rights contained in land claim and self-government agreements.”

Regulations needed to implement the new Wildlife Act are being developed in three phases using the same collaborative process.  Phase one regulations, which deal with immediate changes required to bring the legislation into place and ensure people can continue to harvest and use wildlife in a safe and sustainable manner, have been completed.

Work on phase two of the regulations will begin in the next few weeks.  These regulations will address changes needed to implement some of the new concepts in the Act, such as requiring developers to have wildlife management and monitoring plans and requirements for harvest reporting and harvester training.

Phase three will be ongoing and will deal with new regulations, as required.

A copy of the new Wildlife Act for the NWT can be found on-line at: http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/pdf/ACTS/Wildlife.pdf.

Media inquiries:
Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2302
Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (November 27, 2014) – I was saddened to hear of the Yukon’s Alex Van Bibber passing away.  Van Bibber was known all across the north and, up until he was 96, was an outfitter, miner, residential school survivor and honoured veteran. He continued to promote a responsible and thriving trapping industry in the north by teaching northerners how to use more humane trapping methods and the importance of protecting wildlife habitats.

Alex Van Bibber traveled all across the north and at one time he ended up taking a 500-mile trek breaking trail through the Mackenzie Mountains for the American army to what would become Norman Wells and the Canol Oil Pipeline project. Van Bibber kept a small vial of the first crude oil to arrive in Whitehorse from Norman Wells which he later donated to the Yukon Transportation Museum.

A firm believer in passing down his indigenous knowledge, Alex Van Bibber taught youth about the outdoors and worked as a trapping instructor for the Yukon government for 37 years. He was one of the founding members of the Yukon Outfitters Association and he took great pride in his Clay Pugh Memorial Award for Sportsman of the Year from the Yukon Fish and Game Association in recognition of his work with the youth of the Yukon.

It is said that Alex Van Bibber believed that the outdoors, fresh air, lots of exercise and a good night’s sleep is what keep him active as a trapper and hunter. In his words, “I’m a full time trapper and trapping instructor. I tell my students that I’ve been trapping since I could bend over and put my snowshoes on and I’ll be trapping until I can’t bend over and put the snowshoes on.”

I met and worked with Alex when I was on the board of the Fur Institute of Canada. His contributions during Canada’s negotiations with the USA, Russia and European Union on humane trapping standards were invaluable. The north has lost a man of many talents but most of all we’ve lost a man, that for most of us signifies what the north once was and what we hope it will continue to be, a place where, with hard work and self-sufficiency, a man can make his mark. My deepest condolences to the Van Bibber family and to the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations on their loss.