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

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 126)

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Member for Kam Lake.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 126)

Thank you. Minister of ECE.

Committee Motion 317-19(2): Tabled Document 723-19(2): Capital Estimates 2023-2024 – Education, Culture and Employment – Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 126)

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 126)

Committee, we've agreed to consider Tabled Document 72319(2), Capital Estimates 20232024. We will now consider the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Does the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment wish to bring witnesses into the Chamber?

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 126)

Thank you, Minister. Member for Monfwi.

Question 1227-19(2): Housing
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 126)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, we've got Crown corporations; we've got the Housing NWT; we've got the Northwest Territories Power Corporation; we've got NTech. We've got all these Crown corporations that our money is flowing through to, you know, and if we're not following one policy that can flow through all of our public dollars that we all have to apply to, then what are we doing? We need to follow one procurement policy within our government, within our Crown corporations, and so we can't be saying well, in this department we do this and in this department we do this.

So, Mr...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 126)

Thank you, Member. Minister of ECE.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 126)

Thank you, Minister. Are there any further questions under the Education, Culture and Employment, labour development and advanced education? Infrastructure investments, $3,500,000. Does committee agree?

Question 1225-19(2): Addressing Rising Costs of Living
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 125)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of my colleagues alluded to this today, and I know if another Member was here he would have alluded to it today too, but, you know, we're coming up to the end of our term and in April, we're supposed to be, you know, possibly seeing an increase in carbon taxes to our residents. And so can this government commit that to the end of this government, at least, and go to Ottawa, making sure that we're not increasing any more taxes to our residents? We are seeing people leave the territory because they cannot afford it. We are seeing people born and raised...

Committee Motion 307-19(2): Committee Report 33-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Review of Bill 52, Elevators and Lifts Act – Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 125)

Clauses 46 to 50, does committee agree?