Ottawa announces $19-billion in COVID-19 support for provinces and territories

Leaders across the territory are calling for emergency management reforms including a more direct channel of government support and assistance for those who were denied insurance. Community leaders and representatives joined the session hosted by the NWT Association of Communities’ at the Chateau Nova hotel on Friday.

The Dene Nation and The First Nations Caring Society noted concerns in response to Minister Mandy Gull-Masty’s announcement on Thursday. While the Indigenous Services minister announced a renewal of the $1.55 billion in funding, it is unclear how the applications will be assessed. The funding for approved applications will be available until March 31, 2027, but some critics pointed out it leaves families with just weeks to apply before their current funding expires.

The Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on Regulatory Coordination in the North.

Last weekend the North Slave Métis Alliance celebrated the Government of Canda’s recognition of the Alliance’s Aboriginal rights as affirmed under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. 

A new report on child poverty showed that on average single parents in the N.W.T. need about $20,000 more per year to reach the poverty threshold. They also found number of children living in poverty in Canada doubled between 2019 to 2023. Families living in poverty are living in “deeper poverty,” according to national statistics and first hand observations of community groups.