Lesa Semmler

Member Inuvik Twin Lakes

Minister of Health and Social Services

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

Committees

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
Email
Email
Minister of Health and Social Services

Statements in Debates

Question 1068-19(2): Inuvik Mike Zubko Airport Expansion Project
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 111)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister is will she direct her department to complete this vital part of the project? This is going to provide local contractors with work. Right now, the only work that's in the region has been given to Alberta residents. So I'm just wondering if this Minister is going to support our local contractors as the Minister of Infrastructure. Thank you.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 110)

In favour.

Question 1048-19(2): Mike Zubko Airport Project
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 108)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just I have a couple more questions for the Minister of Infrastructure.

She mentioned that her senior officials will be meeting today with the National Defence. My question is is will she reach out to the contractors, their senior officials, and maybe have a tripartite meeting so that we can get the project moving? You can all talk, and you can see how you can resolve to move forward. Thank you.

Question 1040-19(2): Mike Zubko Airport Project
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 108)

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, it's it's really hard to have some positive with this this Minister right now because before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, you know, this wasn't even at the surface. This delay has been going on. This is not anything new. And we're only looking at it now because we've been raising the issue. You know, I I Mr. Speaker, with everyone looking at Arctic security, will the Minister use her power to direct her department to stop holding up this important phase to get the contractors on it ASAP and not to delay this project by a year? It's been...

Question 1040-19(2): Mike Zubko Airport Project
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 108)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure.

Work has been stopped or put on hold on a project that has major implication for local employment and national security. Is the Minister aware of the pressing timeframe issue regarding the next phase of work and that if a one cubic meter trench is not completed before this spring's thaw, the project will be delayed for at least one year, jeopardizing the project's timeline and national security related to Arctic sovereignty; yes or no?

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 108)

I'm for.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 108)

Agreed.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 108)

In favour.

Question 1048-19(2): Mike Zubko Airport Project
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 108)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll ask one more time. Will this Minister, who this project is going to be benefit be beneficial to our region, to Canada, to North America, so we don't delay any further, request a meeting of her department and National Defence and the contractors and sit down and have a meeting? Will she? Thank you.

Question 1048-19(2): Mike Zubko Airport Project
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 108)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yeah, this is $150 million project, possibly more, in our backyard. National security, Arctic sovereignty. You know, everything that we have right now, we're we need to to this project to move forward. We cannot delay it any further. And I'm just asking the Minister, even if the meeting is on right now, will she commit to meeting with the three tripartite meeting to resolve the further issues. Thank you.