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 124-20(1): Extended Health Benefits
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the extended health benefits policy addresses gaps in some of the NWT residents. Like I mentioned that they did not have services. It's not taking away any benefits from anybody. The policy before, you had to fall under a specific disease. Senior benefits haven't changed. Extended NIHB, like, they all have their own programs. So this is just actually giving access to health care benefits for those residents who never had access before. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 123-20(1): Healthy Living in Northwest Territories Communities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Mr. Speaker, I just mentioned it. I mentioned it in this House. I mentioned it before I got here. I think one of the things that in order for us to be able to tackle the mental health issues that we all have stressed in this House is collaboration with our communities, collaboration with our Indigenous governments, collaboration with NGOs. You know, and I think that, for myself the direction has gone to the department. That is what the department is doing, and I'm committing here that we'll continue to do that work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 118-20(1): Pharmacists’ Scope of Practice
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the work required to bring regulations in is a minimum of two years. What we are projecting is a 2025 comeintoforce date for the pharmacy regulations, and we are very pleased with the support and commitment of the pharmacists' working group with the department to move this work forward as quickly as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 118-20(1): Pharmacists’ Scope of Practice
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. An advisory committee has been established with the pharmacists appointed by the NWT Pharmaceutical Association to collaborate with the department officials. The advisory committee operates under clear terms of reference and reviews and advises on issues identified during the development and drafting instructions and regulations under the Health and Social Services Profession Act.

To date, this group has convened ten times to address this mandate. As well as through the work of bringing more professionals under the Health and...

Question 91-20(1): Diabetes Prevention
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we know that diabetes is a significant chronic disease in the Northwest Territories impacting approximately 10 percent of residents over the age 24, Mr. Speaker.

Question 81-20(1): Northwest Territories Bursary Program
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 9)

I've asked and I've answered the Member. I will get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 81-20(1): Northwest Territories Bursary Program
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned to the Member, I will you know, I'm familiar with this situation in a small in a small amount. I don't know how many bursaries there are. I don't have the level of detail. I will not make that decision here in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 81-20(1): Northwest Territories Bursary Program
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have I am familiar with the circumstances that the Member is speaking to, but I don't have the level of detail to make any decision in the House here today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to say that joining us today in the gallery are the dedicated public servants responsible for the planning and organization of the Weaving Our Wisdom gathering that was held here in Yellowknife last week. So please join me in recognizing them and congratulating them for their excellent work in hosting a very successful and very impactful gathering. Lena Larson, the director of community, culture, and innovation, and her team Jasmine Vogt, Kyla Wright, Jessica Dutton, Chris Stipdonk, Desiree Munro, Erika Doehring-Lafferty, Inamesit Graham, Marcus...

Question 97-20(1): Primary Healthcare Waitlist Transparency
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the opposite sense is why is there a waitlist? You know, I went and seen a physician on Saturday. I didn't have to see you know, so this is why I'm saying the primary health care reform is changing how we're looking at how patients have access to services, not necessarily how everybody's going to have a specific physician to this many clients or this many patients or within this system. So that is you know, when we provided the information that we do have to the Member, and if he wishes to share the information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.