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

Committee Motion 173-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2) Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 90)

The motion is in order. To the motion?

Committee Motion 166-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Fibre to Tuktoyaktuk Homes, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 90)

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion?

Committee Motion 176-19(2): Committee Report 20-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 30: An Act to Amend the Aurora College Act – Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 90)

Thank you, committee. We have concluded consideration of Committee Report 2019(2), Standing Committee on Social Development, Report on Bill 30: An Act to Amend the Aurora College Act. [Audio]

Committee, we've agreed to consider Bill 30: An Act to Amend the Aurora College Act. I will ask the Minister of Health and Social Services sorry, don't ask you.

Laughter

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to introduce the bill.

Oral Question 868-19(2): Government Procurement
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 90)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So going down that same path, can the Minister also commit to the same mechanism when doing negotiated contracts because we need to ensure that the work is going to NWT residents and businesses, whether it's local businesses, contractors, and/or with Indigenous governments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 172-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment – Report on Telecommunications – Procurement of Internet Services, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 90)

The motion is in order. To the motion

Committee Motion 165-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Publicly-Owned Backbone Internet Infrastructure, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 90)

Thank you, Member. The motion is in order. To the motion?

Committee Motion 176-19(2): Committee Report 20-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 30: An Act to Amend the Aurora College Act – Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 90)

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried.

Carried

Member’s Statement on Procurement Decisions by Government and Crown Corporations
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 90)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, GNWT spending is a key economic driver for the NWT. We know through the pandemic how much we rely on GNWT spending. And, Mr. Speaker, the impact of GNWT spending extends to the procurement decisions made just by this government but for the Crown corporations supported by our public funds.

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize that the GNWT has undertaken a review of procurement and has made a commitment towards an Indigenous procurement policy, which is very positive. Local NWTbased businesses, NWT Indigenous businesses that are based in our communities hire...

Committee Motion 171-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Free Wi-Fi Service in Regional Centres, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 90)

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion?

Bill 41: Justice Administration Statute Amendment Act,Committee Motion 164-19(2): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 437-19(2): Capital Estimates 2022-2023, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 90)

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Seeing no further comments, Mr. Jacobson.