About
The Standing Committee on Social Development shall consider the following matters with respect to the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment; Health and Social Services; Justice (Solicitor General); and Housing Northwest Territories:
- Review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Status of Women Council and programs for seniors, youth, and persons with disabilities;
- Review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies;
- Shall consider issues related to social, cultural and justice policy;
- Shall consider issues related to mental health and addictions;
- Shall consider issues related to sport and recreation;
- Shall consider issues related to housing and homelessness; and
- Shall consider any other matter referred by the House.
Background
The Standing Committee on Social Development consists of no more then 6 Regular Members and 3 Regular Member alternates.
Members
Seeking Input on Bill 23 & 24
Are you a parent, legal advisor, family service provider, or someone with experience navigating family law in the NWT?
MLAs on the Standing Committee on Social Development want to hear from you as part of their review of Bill 23: An Act to Amend the Children’s Law Act and Bill 24: An Act to Amend the Family Law Act.
These Bills propose updates to parenting language, introduce provisions to address family violence, clarify the legal process for relocations, and enhance the roles and responsibilities of parents, legal advisors, and the courts. The changes aim to better reflect the principles of the federal Divorce Act and improve the administration of family law in the NWT.
How would these changes affect you?
Do you have ideas for how family law in the NWT can better serve children and families?
Plain language summaries available here:
Share your input in writing or request more information by contacting @email by August 1, 2025.
Seeking Input on Bill 28
The Committee is seeking input on Bill 28: An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, No. 2. This Bill proposes to increase the Student Loan Fund limit from $45 million to $55 million to reflect recent changes to the Student Financial Assistance program.
Share your input in writing by contacting @email by August 11, 2025
Plain Language Summary of the Bill can be found here.
Seeking Input on Bill 27
The Committee is reviewing Bill 27: An Act to Amend the Protection Against Family Violence Act and wants to hear from you.
What is Bill 27 about?
This Bill proposes changes to strengthen the Protection Against Family Violence Act. Key changes include:
Expanding who can apply for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO), such as people in dating relationships or care relationships
Recognizing stalking, including online harassment, as a form of family violence
Introducing a new civil legal option (a tort) for victims of stalking
Updating the language in the Act to be more gender inclusive
Trigger Warning: Bill 27 relates to family violence and may be triggering for some.
For online supports, visit the YWCA NWT:
🔗 ywcanwt.ca/family-violence-shelters
Share your input in writing by contacting @email by August 29, 2025.
How to Provide Feedback
- Written Submissions: Send a letter to the Committee containing your thoughts, ideas, perspectives, and comments.
- NOTE: These are considered public documents unless marked as confidential.
- Oral Comments: Speak with the Committee in person (or virtually).
Contact
To send written submissions, arrange to provide oral comments, or for more information on any Committee business, please email the Committee at @email.
Agenda
Committee Reports
News Releases
Events
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