Further to the response provided to the Member for Great Slave on February 12, 2024, the following additional information is provided:
Minister Wawzonek committed to outlining the extent of the work completed during the two-year forensic audit conducted in collaboration with the Auditor General’s Office of Canada. On March 31, 2025, I was named the Minister for the Department of Infrastructure, and I am following up on my colleague’s commitment by providing the following summary of the audit's scope and findings.
The Government of the Northwest Territories manages information assets, including electronic documents, e-mails, and physical records through its Digital Integrated Information Management System. This system was not fully utilized by all departments at the time of the Stanton P3 Hospital Procurement; however, thorough record searches were conducted.
The last known whereabouts of hard copy documents and GNWT storage were thoroughly searched by both Infrastructure and Procurement Shared Services.
Former employees and consultants were asked for any records or recollection of where records were filed and/or stored.
Hard drives with information from GNWT records and consultant project managers were thoroughly reviewed for information in response to Auditor General’s Office requests.
The Auditor General’s Office conducted interviews with current and former staff and consultants involved with the delivery of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal Project. All consultants and current staff cooperated with the interviews; some former staff declined.
All records found during the above information-gathering process that pertained to Auditor General’s Office information requests were downloaded, secured, and shared through the Auditor General’s Office secure file transfer system.
The information requests by the Auditor General’s Office to various departments were numerous and extensive. The effort by GNWT staff, many of whom were not involved in the project and had no ability to speak to the material, was significant. The GNWT fully cooperated with the Auditor General’s Office, as indicated in the report and hearings.
Mr. Speaker, further to the response provided to the Member for Range Lake on March 3, 2025, regarding primary wait times I have the following information to provide:
Primary health care reform is working towards increasing equitable access to team-based primary health care services in the Northwest Territories. The Yellowknife region is actively participating in a primary health care reform initiative and leading quality improvement activities to improve access to and experience with primary health care services at the Yellowknife Primary Care Clinic, that hassame-day access,and at Łıwegǫ̀atı.
In May 2024, the Yellowknife region underwent a structural change from 10 teams to four integrated primary care teams while simultaneously moving to the Łıwegǫ̀atı building where most primary care services are now co-located. Efforts over the past year have largely focused on optimizing operational capacity, including provider coverage and clinical workflow within existing resources. As part of the primary health care reform initiative, a multidisciplinary governance structure has been established and work is underway to define a regional aim, workplan, and metrics. Primary health care reform seeks system transformation. This type of change can take time; it happens at the speed of relationships. The work to increase access is just beginning and requires building capacity in cultural safety, prioritizing integrated care team function, and optimizing scopes of practice.
Yellowknife region has been tracking data related to standard indicators for service access and use including number of booked appointments, number of attended appointments, number of no-show appointments, and number of self-cancelled appointments. Other chronic and communicable disease indicators are also available to inform reform efforts, including screening for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections during pregnancy, congenital syphilis, and screening of diabetic patients as per Diabetes Canada guidelines.
While the number of total appointments month over month have been lower than prior to the move to the Łıwegǫ̀atı building, we do know that it has been improving over time. It is important to note that the move was an operational event, not specifically driven by Primary Health Care Reform, and it coincided with other staffing factors, such as parental leaves, which resulted an increased demand on the remaining physicians. Data for the period June 2024, immediately following the move, to February 2025 has shown the total booked and attended appointments, both phone and in-person, has progressively increased, following an initial two-month decline. The total booked appointments grew from 1,989 to 4,011, which is a
102% increase, while attended appointments increased from 1,677 to 3,437.
The rate of “No-Show” appointments has reduced from 12.2% in June 2024 to 9.1% in February 2025, and the proportion of booked appointments that have been attended has ranged between 82.5% to 86.2%.
This type of data must be approached with caution as it is only one part of a story. There are many reasons for fluctuations in clinic data of this nature, including seasonal variability.
The data presented here will become part of a larger regional data strategy that reflects best practice in measuring both process and outcomes related to team-based primary and community care to get us closer to the reform vision: A territory where Indigenous peoples, 2SLGBTQIPA+, enjoy optimal physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and wellness. This data strategy will include a comprehensive and holistic approach to monitoring, evaluation and continuous quality improvement, including potential measures for patient experience, health system performance, health and wellness outcomes, staff well-being and team-based function, and health equity and cultural safety. It requires timely access to data and opportunities for data disaggregation to understand health equity outcomes.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Tu Nedhe Wiilideh on March 11, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
Minister Wawzonek committed to providing the Member for Tu Nedhé Wiilideh any knowledge the Department of Infrastructure may have on studies done on the potential impacts of heavy traffic along Highway No. 4 and Highway No. 5. Minister Wawzonek also committed to providing the Member with an update on the possibility that additional signage could be installed at the junction on Highway No. 4 leading into Dettah and at the junction of Highway No. 5 and No. 6, to help identify these junctions more clearly for drivers. I was appointed Minister of the Department of Infrastructure and am following up on that commitment.
The Department is not aware of studies done on the impacts of heavy traffic on Highways No. 4 and No. 5. With regards to installation of additional signage at the junction on Highway No. 4 leading into Dettah, there is currently signage on Highway No. 4, known as the Ingraham Trail, in two locations heading east on Highway No. 4 and in two locations heading west on Highway No. 4. The signage indicates the location of the junction leading into Dettah. Signage is clearly visible on the highway and the Department is not currently planning to install additional signage for this purpose.
As for installing additional signage at the junction of Highway No. 5 and No. 6, the Department is planning to do so this summer. The Department is also investigating options for adding lighting at the junction of Highway No. 5 and No. 6, through the Department’s Enhanced Safety Program for 2025-2026.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Range Lake on Thursday, March 13, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
Housing NWT anticipates constructing approximately 211 new builds over the remaining of this term of government. This is in addition to 81 new builds already complete since the start of the 20th Legislative Assembly for a total of 292 new housing units.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Monfwi on May 23, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
The Indigenous Language and Education Policy was launched in 2018. This Policy mandates that Education Bodies provide quality Indigenous language instruction and relevant culture-based school programming. This includes ensuring Elders and cultural resource experts play an integral role in developing these learning environments. Based on the implementation of this Policy, the Elders in school programming have evolved from being a stand-alone initiative to becoming an integral component embedded across all areas of education programming and initiatives, ensuring alignment with and enhancement of Indigenous education throughout the system.
Since 2018, all Indigenous language and education funding has gone directly to Education Bodies. The School Funding Framework outlines how Education Bodies receive funding in five specific areas:
Regional Indigenous Languages and Education Coordinator positions, who provide a centralized leadership role in coordinating regional Indigenous languages instruction and education;
Indigenous Education, to support the operation and maintenance of Indigenous education programs and activities in all classrooms, including key cultural activities, school-community relationships, and funding for cultural resource workers and Elders in schools; Indigenous Language Instruction Staff; Resource Development, for the implementation of Our Languages Curriculum and the Indigenous Languages & Education Handbook; and, Community Support, to hire cultural resource experts, including Elders, and purchase or rent land-based equipment and supplies to support Indigenous language revitalization.
In 2024-2025, the GNWT provided $12.274M for Indigenous languages and education initiatives in schools. Of this amount, $1.386M went to regional Indigenous language education coordinators, $1.806M to Indigenous Education, $7.319M to Indigenous language instruction staff, $1.011M to resource development, and $752K to community supports.
Through the implementation of the Indigenous Language and Education Policy and School Funding Framework, the Elders in Schools Program has been fully integrated into all NWT schools as part of the decentralized approach. While the previous Elders in Schools Program no longer exists in its original form, Elders continue to play an active role in school programming. Education Bodies have the flexibility to allocate funding towards Elder involvement in various initiatives, including mental health and wellness supports, on-the-land and school-based culture programming, and Indigenous language instruction.
Given that the Elders in Schools Program is no longer a stand-alone initiative, the Department does not plan to undertake a formal program evaluation. However, Education Bodies are required to submit an Operating Plan and Annual Report yearly under the Education Accountability Framework, which includes planning priorities, funding allocations, and reporting on Indigenous language and education programming. These reports identify the number of community members and cultural support workers, including Elders, engaged in school-based initiatives. Through these reporting mechanisms, Education Bodies not only report on current efforts, but also identify challenges where additional support or resources are needed to strengthen access to Indigenous programming for all students.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Frame Lake on May 23rd, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
We received approval from Cabinet and the Intergovernmental Council Secretariat late last year to proceed with a phased approach to updating the Waters Act and regulations:
Phase 1 – Targeted amendments to the Waters Regulations
Phase 2 – Waters Act amendments
Phase 3 – Circle back to the regulations to make adjustments as necessary based on Phase 2
A technical working group has been established under the Intergovernmental Council’s Legislative Development Protocol to work through the amendments together with Indigenous government partners. Thus far, three meetings have been held to discuss proposed targeted amendments and the next meeting is scheduled for July 2025. As I noted in my responses to oral questions, members of the technical working group have identified these targeted amendments as a priority and are pursuing their development in an expedient manner.
Significant progress has been made in collaboration with the working group. There are several areas where we are able to proceed to drafting. Additionally, invites are currently being extended to the Land and Water Boards, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and additional Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations for various levels of participation moving forward.
While we are optimistic given the progress to date, there are still some outstanding issues that require additional discussion between the working group members. Because of the collaborative nature of this work, it is not possible to provide a precise timeline for completion. That said, the Department of Environment and Climate Change is committed to having these targeted amendments completed, including having provided an opportunity for public engagement and consultation, before the end of the 20th Legislative Assembly.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Monfwi on May 26, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
Indigenous employment data for the Community Counselling Program is as follows:
Beaufort-Delta, thirteen Indigenous employees.
Yellowknife, one Indigenous employee.
Sahtu, none.
Tlicho, none.
Fort Smith, none.
Dehcho, none.
Hay River, no data available.
The Mental Health and Addictions Program Renewal Project is an extensive community co-design initiative that created new Community Counsellor positions. The new positions use updated advertising, screening, interviewing and hiring policies to remove barriers to hiring local people with traditional knowledge and lived expertise.
In 2021, recruitment and retention challenges in the Beaufort Delta Region suggested a need to review the sustainability of the existing mental health staffing model with community feedback indicating a desire for Indigenous counsellors and healing practices and indicated that community consultation was key. In response, this project has been multi-phased including engagement with Regional Wellness Councils and the creation of a Regional
Working Group, including but not limited to Regional Wellness Council members, Elders and community leaders, community members. This project has considered the types of positions needed to meet community needs, placing value in knowledge of community culture and pre-existing relationships.
The new regional positions are expected to privilege Indigenous ways of healing as equally important as western counselling models; thereby addressing chronic counselling shortages in Indigenous communities. Indigenous staff have completed three trauma-informed training modules with the Thunderbird Institute. Revised positions will function within the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Community Counselling Program for the purposes of standards, onboarding, supervision, training, and evaluation.
The Sahtu Region established a Working Group to follow a similar process modelled in the Beaufort Delta Region, and regional co-design is almost complete. Fort Smith is in the exploratory phase to establish a Working Group and Dehcho Region will follow.
While there are no Indigenous employes currently with the Community Counselling Program in the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency, there are seven Indigenous Peer Support Workers and eight Indigenous Wellness Elders providing support within the system. The Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency actively partners with the Tłı̨chǫ Government to deliver the Mental Health and Wellness Strategy and collaborate on a range of Indigenous-led initiatives.
Prioritizing Indigenous employment continues through the GNWT Indigenous Employment Policy and the 2025-2028 NWT Health and Social Services System People Strategy, which will be released at the end of October.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Yellowknife North on May 26, 2025, regarding Nurse Practitioner scope of practice, sole responsible provider and professional development, the following additional information is provided:
The Nursing Professions Act defines the scope of practice for Nurse Practitioners in the Northwest Territories. The College and Association of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the body that regulates Nurse Practitioners, further defines scope of practice through documents such as the National Entry-Level Competencies for Nurse Practitioners 2023. Employers then determine the extent to which a Nurse Practitioners scope is applied based on the specific role for which they are hired and as outlined in the job description. The employer may also reinforce these roles and expectations of care through policies and procedures, guidelines and memos. Nurse Practitioners also must provide client care based on their individual competence, which they self-assess based on their education, training, and experience. This must also align with employer policies, procedures, and guidelines. If a client’s needs exceed or differ from the scope of practice the Nurse Practitioners can provide, they are expected to refer clients to the most appropriate resource which can meet their needs.
The Nurse Practitioner Privileging List from the Office of Medical Affairs and Credentialling within the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority assists both the employer and the employee to determine to what scope a Nurse Practitioner has been granted privileges for providing clinical services in NWT health facilities. This application outlines the skills and competencies the Nurse Practitioner self-identifies as being competent to provide, and the associated documented evidence of training, experience and certification. These requests for privileging also require two references that may be a clinical supervisor or equivalent, or a program director who can attest to the applicant’s final evaluation and skills set, if they have recently completed training. The second reference is required from a colleague with whom they have worked and can speak to their clinical area experience and/or expertise. This request is reviewed by the Territorial Application Review Committee. Once a decision is made regarding their application, the associated letters of approval/credentials will be provided to hospitals and clinics enabling their practice scope.
Regarding Nurse Practitioners and being sole provider, our NWT model of primary care is not based on patient attachment to a single Nurse Practitioner or family physician. Territorially, our model of care emphasizes access to primary care but does not attempt to ensure access to a particular provider. The circle of care model that is in place includes a wide variety of healthcare professionals who together can meet the health needs of residents. Nurse Practitioners are a part of this care team. Our priority is to ensure that residents have access to primary care services, not a specific provider. There are some examples where the Nurse Practitioners are considered the Most Responsible Provider however, this reinforces what was stated earlier, that the scope of care that Nurse Practitioner’s provide is based on the role they are hired into.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Yellowknife North on the May 28, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has not identified specific areas that may be preferable for occupancy by those choosing to camp within the city. However, since individuals choosing to camp within city limits can find themselves in conflict with neighbourhood residents and business owners, the GNWT met with an advocate representing individuals choosing to camp and provided maps that depict Commissioner’s Land within city limits, where these conflicts would be minimized, as well as key landmarks and services. Information provided on the map included:
tenured Commissioners Land, including Commissioners Land identified/subject to land withdrawal agreements,
schools,
government buildings,
hospitals,
the RCMP,
municipal parks,
park benches,
public washrooms,
waste bins, and
trails.
People have camped in a dispersed manner for many years. While it is not an ideal solution to homelessness, the GNWT notes dispersed camping, rather than congregate encampments, reduces the potential for conflict with other users of Commissioner’s Land and minimizes potential conflicts with regulations and bylaws. The information provided offers an opportunity for those who choose to camp within the city to select sites that are close to public facilities, such as washrooms and garbage bins so that they can maintain clean, safe camp sites.
Our staff have maintained at minimum weekly communications with encamped individuals since they were first identified and have worked with them to meet immediate needs and safety, connect them to longer-term supports, and encourage them to access existing shelter spaces. Recognizing that people experiencing homelessness are in situations that are complex, challenging, and deserving respect, the GNWT is focusing on increasing transitional housing options and working with community partners to build long-term, person-centred solutions.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Range Lake on May 28, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
Reducing hierarchy within a public service structured on the Westminster system presents a range of complex challenges. This system is traditionally characterized by clear lines of authority, ministerial responsibility, and bureaucratic accountability. In the Northwest Territories (NWT), these traditional structures are balanced with our unique consensus style of government.
While departments and agencies continue to review their organizational structures to promote efficiency and reduce unnecessary approval barriers, a certain level of hierarchy remains necessary to support effective decision-making. However, measures have been implemented to reduce reliance on centralized authority and foster a more agile, responsive public service.
These measures include:
Open Government – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is committed to openness, transparency, and accountability. Open Government ensures that NWT residents are informed and engaged in government activities, programs, and services. By engaging with residents, the GNWT can co-develop solutions, build effective policy, and ensure that our work addresses real challenges experienced by our communities. This engagement builds public trust and reinforces the GNWT’s commitment to serving its people.
Empowering Staff – Supporting employees to leverage their expertise and make informed decisions helps them take ownership of their work, thereby reducing dependency on hierarchical oversight.
Providing Varied Career Pathways – The GNWT supports secondments, transfer assignments, training programs, and project-based roles help staff develop broad experience over traditional hierarchical progression. These opportunities promote flexibility, professional development, and innovation across the public service.
Encouraging Cross-Departmental Collaboration – Interdepartmental working groups and project teams fosters break down silos which not only encourages knowledge sharing but also supports a more integrated and responsive approach to government service delivery.
Through these efforts, the GNWT is committed to creating a public service that empowers employees at all levels, encourages collaboration, and delivers better outcomes for residents of the NWT.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Great Slave on May 28, 2025, regarding 911 services and the planned service outage by NorthwesTel that occurred earlier that same day, the following additional information is provided.
As you are aware, this planned NorthwesTel outage began at midnight and affected
911 services across the Northwest Territories. The Government of the Northwest Territories, through NWT 911, had contingency measures in place to maintain access to emergency services. This included a reroute process intended to keep 911 service available for unaffected communities, which has worked in past incidents such as the 2023 wildfire evacuations but failed on this occasion due to a technical issue on NorthwesTel’s network.
Anticipating this risk, NWT 911 had proactively set up an alternate internet-based phone system with a dedicated 10-digit emergency number. This number was publicly shared ahead of the outage via the GNWT Public Safety website, social media, and radio. It was accessible as a normal call in communities unaffected by the outage and could be accessed in affected areas through Wi-Fi calling options like Starlink. While we acknowledge options like Wi-Fi calling are not available to all residents, these measures reflected a meaningful effort to improve access using evolving technology.
To support operations, NWT 911 doubled staffing for the duration of the outage. Despite the reroute failure, NWT 911 staff monitored incoming calls via a third-party platform which allowed for prompt follow-up and maintained communications with emergency service providers via radio and satellite phone. Full telecommunications service was restored by approximately 4:00 a.m.
The scope of this outage was controlled entirely by NorthwesTel. GNWT has no control over these planned interruptions. The NWT 911 system was designed referencing Alberta’s 911 standards but operates as a single, Basic 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) due to NorthwesTel’s legacy infrastructure, unlike Alberta’s Enhanced 911 multi-PSAP model. This reflects the unique geography and infrastructure challenges in the North.
NWT 911 is assessing options for external backup support. While many southern PSAPs have mutual aid agreements to assist each other during telecommunications outages or periods of high call volume at no cost, the NWT’s Basic 911 model and dependency on NorthwesTel infrastructure make such agreements unfeasible. Any such partnership would require a one-way paid contract, with costs expected to exceed the revenues currently generated by the NWT’s 911 call answer levy.
In summary, this was a planned NorthwesTel outage. NWT 911 took all operational steps to maintain emergency access, including backup systems, public communication, and increased staffing. NWT 911 is aware of processes followed by other jurisdictions but is limited in applying them due to the current telecommunications infrastructure. The GNWT is committed to improving 911 reliability through system upgrades and collaboration with partners.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Range Lake on May 29, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
The Government of the Northwest Territories has finalized the Guidelines on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the public service on May 29, 2025. The guidelines enable staff to use generative AI to improve efficiency while setting clear expectations for responsible use.
Key expectations include:
Not enter confidential, personal, or otherwise sensitive information into external tools.
Ensure outputs are factually accurate.
Ensure editing text output to match the government style of language that is inclusive and respectful.
Comply with all existing privacy, security, and records management obligations.
The guidelines were developed to align with approaches taken by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia and will be updated as best practices evolve.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Monfwi on May 29, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
In 2022, the GNWT released an Action Plan in response to the Calls for Justice on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGTBQQIA+ people called “Changing the Relationship”. The MMIWG Action Plan includes 94 commitments divided into the four thematic categories identified in the final report of the National Inquiry: Culture and Language, Health and Wellness, Human Security and Justice. The Actions seek to address colonialism and racial and gendered discrimination present in all levels of government and public institutions.
To date, the GNWT has completed 62% of the 94 Calls for Justice, and aims to complete the remaining actions during the lifetime of the 20th Legislative Assembly.
Of the 36 Actions under the Culture and Language category, the GNWT has completed, or continues work on 22 of them. These Actions focus on the accessibility and revitalization of Indigenous languages, the training and recruitment of the public service, the transformation of the Health and Social Services System, and Gender Equity in budgets, policies, and programs. The remaining 14 Actions have been actioned.
The GNWT has actioned all 17 commitments under the Health and Wellness category and has completed or is continuing to implement 11 of those actions. Some highlights include the award of a contract for a new Wellness and Recovery Centre, the construction of 100 new affordable housing units, the renewal of 28 Community Wellness Plans, and the distribution of $2.9 million to 17 Indigenous governments and community organizations through the Community Wellness and Addiction Recovery Fund.
Currently, 11 actions under the Human Security category have been completed or are being implemented by the GNWT, and there is ongoing work on the remaining 10. The availability of safe and affordable housing is the cornerstone of ensuring the safety of women and girls. Since 2022, a new mandate has been released for Housing NWT in collaboration with the NWT Council of Leaders, construction is on track to complete a total of 292 affordable housing units by 2027, and the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs has led and delivered a land-based camp from November 15th, 2024, to January 14th, 2025, for those experiencing homelessness in Yellowknife.
The GNWT has made 20 commitments to respond to the Calls for Justice under the Justice category, and, to date, 14 actions have been completed or are continuing to be implemented. Some highlights under this theme include the establishment of five new regionally based Integrated Service Delivery sites with services to address homelessness in partnership with Indigenous governments, the commitment of $25,000 toward the creation for a National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in conjunction with Nunavut and Yukon, and the expansion of the First Nation and Inuit Policing Program.
Progress has been made, and the GNWT will continue to work towards completing the remaining 36 Actions during this Legislative Assembly’s lifetime. Together, these actions all serve to initiate meaningful change for women, girls and gender-diverse people.
The 2024-2025 Annual Report: Changing the Relationship – Action Plan in response to the Calls for Justice on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, will be posted on the GNWT’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls webpage once it has been tabled in the October session.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Great Slave Lake on May 29, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
There are two distinct issues that were raised by the member as it relates to improving Government of the Northwest Territories communications efforts.
The first issue the Member asked about is the number of Facebook pages the GNWT has and the second is about how our web content is organized on our many websites. At this time, the GNWT will be maintaining its presence on Facebook and other social media platforms as it exists, and in line with our social media guidelines. Currently, our focus is on modernizing the GNWT’s web presence, which is often the backbone of where content for all online engagement comes from.
Regarding our websites, our work is progressing on schedule. Residents have told us loud and clear that organizing our websites by departments, divisions and units is confusing and hard to use. We are changing how we organize our programs, services, and information so they are grouped by topics, themes, and tasks that residents care about.
As part of this project, we are also rewriting our content to make it simpler for people to use. We are writing in plain language, eliminating jargon, and focusing on actions and services making it easier for people to get the information they need and the services they rely on from the GNWT. Recognizing we have tens of thousands of pieces of content, we are prioritizing the content that residents need most often.
We expect the more user-friendly website will be launched in early 2026. We will continue rewriting for plain language and usability, and continue structuring content for usability and accessibility.
Finally, the Member requested a commitment to consider the aggregation of information from all departments into one site, which I am pleased to say will be completed upon the launch of this new platform.
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Colleagues, we should take a little bit of a break to give our interpreters a break, and we will resume shortly. Thank you.
---SHORT RECESS
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a Return to Written Question Number 17-20(1) asked by the Member from Yellowknife Centre on May 29th, 2025, regarding staff turnover and vacancy rates.
From April 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, the average vacancy rate for specialists was 46.2. In 2023-2024, the average vacancy rate for specialists was 43.1 percent, in 2024-2025 the average vacancy rate for specialists was 50.1 percent and on June 30, 2025, the average vacancy rate for specialists was 43.8 percent.
Later today I will table a document which provides a summary for vacancy rate breakdown by specialty.
From April 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, there have been an average full-time equivalent of 24.4 positions for Specialists, 13.1 of which were filled. In 2023-2024 the average full-time equivalent was 25.0, 14.23 which were filled, in 2024-2025 the average full-time equivalent was 24, 11.98 of which were filled, and on June 30, 2025, the average full-time equivalent was 24, 13.5 of which were filled.
From April 1, 2023, to June 2025, an average of 9.4 percent of the specialists physician full-time equivalents resigned.
From April 1, 2023, to June 2025, an average of 4.1 percent of the specialist physician full-time equivalents retired.
Recruitment is variable based on service. For many specialties including, Ear Nose and Throat, known as Otolaryngology, and Internal Medicine, active recruitment over many years is required until a position is filled in territory. Other specialities, like General Surgery historically have been easier to fill.
Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question asked by the Member for Yellowknife Centre on May 29th, 2025, regarding Surgical Wait Times and Backlogs.
1. The number of patients currently on the waitlist.
Summary of current operative waitlist, numbers per service as of June 2025:
· Orthopedic 150
· Gynecological - 80
· General Surgery 127
· ENT - 70
2. The average wait times.
The average wait time for operative services differ greatly from patient to patient, depending on the urgency of the medical condition and physician direction. For elective operative procedures for orthopedics, including hip and knee joint replacements, once booked, a patient can expect to wait approximately two (2) years for an elective joint surgery in the NT.
3. The median wait times.
Please see response above.
4. The number of surgeries cancelled or delayed in the past 24 months and the reasons.
Later today, I will table a document which provides a Summary of Rationale for Surgery Cancellation for 2024 and a Summary of Rational for Surgery Cancellations, until July 2025.
5. A breakdown of patients by community and age group.
Surgical wait time data is not collected to that level of detail. To identify community and age-group granularity would require additional human resource capacity not currently available in the health and social services system.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act.
Bill 21 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on February 28, 2025, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations for review.
The standing committee completed its clause-by-clause review of the bill with the Minister responsible for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission on September 24th, 2025.
Mr. Speaker, the committee reports that Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills. Member from Frame Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 22, the Legislation Act.
Bill 22 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on March 12th, 2025, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations for review.
The standing committee completed its clause-by-clause review of the bill with the Minister of Justice on September 12th, 2025. Committee moved to amend two clauses, and the Minister of Justice concurred with both motions.
Mr. Speaker, the committee reports that Bill 22, legislation Act, is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills. Member from Frame Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 29, First Responders Workers' Compensation Amendment Act.
Bill 29 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on May 29th, 2025, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations for review. The committee was briefed by the sponsor of the bill on June 19th, 2025. The committee received a separate briefing on the bill from the Minister responsible for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission the same day.
The committee has recently received detailed responses to questions asked of the Minister and requests more time to consider these responses and complete its review of Bill 29. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Rule 8.3(2) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that the review period for Bill 29, first Responders Workers' Compensation Amendment Act, be extended by 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion is carried. The Standing Committee on Government Operations review of Bill 29, First Responders Workers' Compensation Amendment Act, is extended by 120 days.
---Carried
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills. Member from Monfwi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 23, An Act to Amend the Children's Law Act.
Bill 23 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on March 13th, 2025, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development for review.
On June 11th, 2025, the committee held a public hearing with the Minister of Justice, and the clause-by-clause review for Bill 23 is scheduled for Monday, October 20th, 2025.
Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Rule 8.3(2) of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the review period for Bill 23, An Act to Amend the Children's Law Act, be extended to October 29, 2025. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
