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

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 92)

Thank you, Member. Member for Frame Lake, what is the wish of committee?

Oral Question 884-19(2): Paid Sick Leave and the Employment Standards Act
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 92)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd ask when, but I don't want to use my last question for that. So can the Minister identify or provide the total cost of equipment that's been provided to oh, sorry. I switched that question up yesterday, because I knew I wouldn't get an answer.

Can the Minister commit that the Department of Health and Social Services will assess all elders' homes, as well as the homes that have elders living with them in the Beaufort Delta communities, or all NWT communities, small communities, for their equipment needs and work with the NWT Housing Corporation for their access needs...

Oral Question 884-19(2): Paid Sick Leave and the Employment Standards Act
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 92)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In order to reduce the demand for the larger regional longterm care facilities, support for elders are going to be needed to be provided in their homes. So can the Minister commit to use the financial savings to provide the support or build that capacity within the communities, in the small communities for elders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member’s Statement on Season’s Greetings
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 92)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Merry Christmas, Mr. Speaker. While 2021 has been a difficult year for our residents in the Northwest Territories and we have faced many challenges over the last year, I can't help but to be optimistic about what 2022 will bring us. While we will enter the new year with many of the challenges we faced this year, like the housing needs, the social issues, the economic issues, and many other issues, I know by working together that we can overcome those challenges, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, I am optimistic about what the new year will bring and I think that we have...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 92)

The motion is in order and is nondebatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried. I will now rise and report progress.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 92)

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. Member for Hay River North.

Oral Question 884-19(2): Paid Sick Leave and the Employment Standards Act
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 92)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know in the health centres the nurses that we hire, or CHNs, I've said it in the House, they have many roles that they play in the communities and home care is just one little part that is added to all of their emergency, everything else that they do.

So can the Minister provide how many positions have been created in each in Inuvik in each of the seven Beaufort Delta communities to support the establishment of home care and home support workers available seven days a week for elders to age in place? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 91)

I will now call Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we've agreed to consider Committee Report 2219(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment, Report on Government of the Northwest Territories Approach to the Mining Fiscal Regime Review. I will go to the chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment for any opening comments. Member for Nunakput.

Committee Motion 186-19(2): Committee Report 23-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on Review of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 Public Accounts – Reporting of Contingent Liabilities from Claims and Litigation, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 91)

Thank you. To the motion? Member for Yellowknife North.

Committee Motion 182-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Government of the Northwest Territories Approach to the Mining Fiscal Regime – Indigenous Governments’ Economic Benefi
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 91)

Thank you. To the motion? Member for Thebacha.