Lesa Semmler

Member Inuvik Twin Lakes

Minister of Health and Social Services
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women 

Lesa Semmler currently serves as the Member representing Inuvik Twin Lakes in the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, having been re-elected to the position. Born in Yellowknife, NT, and raised in Inuvik, where she still resides, Ms. Semmler has deep roots in the Northwest Territories. 

A Registered Nurse, Ms. Semmler graduated from the Aurora College Northern Nursing Program in 2000 and earned her Community Health Nurse Certification from the Canadian Nurses Association in 2008. With 15 years of frontline nursing experience at the Inuvik Regional Hospital, she focused on Acute Care, Homecare, and Public Health. Her career also included roles as the Manager of Acute Care Services and eventually the Regional Manager of Acute Care Services under the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. Notably, she served as the Inuvialuit Health System Navigator at the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, assisting Inuvialuit Beneficiaries in navigating the healthcare system. 

Beyond her healthcare career, Ms. Semmler has actively contributed to education and community service. She served on the Inuvik District Education Authority, assuming the role of Chair from 2015 to 2018, and chaired the Beaufort Delta Education Council. Ms. Semmler participated in various working groups at the territorial and national levels, including the Inuit Tuberculosis Elimination Board and the Inuit Midwifery Revitalization. Her commitment to social justice is evident in her voluntary work as a member of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Family Advisory Circle, where she worked to ensure northern voices were heard and represented. Lesa Semmler's life and career reflect her passion for healthcare, education, and advocating for the well-being of her community.

Inuvik Twin Lakes Electoral District

Lesa Semmler
Inuvik Twin Lakes
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
(867) 767-9143
Constituency Office

125 Mackenzie Rd
Unit 203
Inuvik NT X0E 0T0
Canada

P.O. Box
3130
Constituency Phone
867-678-2429
Minister's Office
Email
Email

Statements in Debates

Member's Statement on Emerging Wisely Plan
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I was lucky that I was able to spend the holidays with my family, not something that everybody in my community or even in the NWT could say. There were many families who had to remain separated this year. To make it worse, with COVID, we had none of our regular community social gatherings to occupy our time and help us through the dark months that we go through.

Growing up and living in Inuvik almost my entire life, you know it's a reality that we have many people who are educators and medical staff, just to name a few, who have...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 51)

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Minister's Statement 77-19(2), National Housing Co-Investment Fund; Tabled Document 165-19(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 1-19(2), Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery, Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 166-19(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 2-19(2), Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery, Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 167-19(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 3-19(2), Report on Long-Term...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 51)

I will call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Norn.

Question 488-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 51)

I understand the last requirement of moving from phase 2 is a second surge of infection in Canada and the United States has come and gone, with new cases falling over time and the epidemiological curve has demonstrably flattened. This has not been met. With our border controls in place and a 14-day mandatory isolation in place, will the Minister be looking into moving into phase 3 once we have completed implementing our vaccine plan and our most vulnerable population has been vaccinated?

Question 488-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 51)

Mr. Speaker, according to the information that we received, the Moderna vaccine should be administered 28 days apart but can be extended up to 42 days, if necessary. If a vaccine shortage continues, has the department begun a communication plan of what to do if residents cannot get their second vaccine within the 42 recommended days? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. Member for Monfwi.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Jenkins.

Committee Motion 45-19(2): Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Infrastructure - Deferral of Department (page 40), carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Would the Minister please introduce her witnesses?

Committee Motion 45-19(2): Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Infrastructure - Deferral of Department (page 40), carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Martin.

Committee Motion 45-19(2): Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Infrastructure - Deferral of Department (page 40), carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. I didn't hear a question, so I'll take that as a comment. Member for Nunakput.