Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson laid out the mandate for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the next four years.
The mandate includes high-level commitments structured into six categories: housing, economy, access to health care, addressing the effects of trauma, emergency management, and public safety. The mandate recognizes the territory’s economic shift and the effects of climate change on its land and residents, including floods and fires.
Unlike the previous detailed 2019-2023 mandate, which meticulously outlined timelines and how progress would be measured, the current mandate takes a different approach. It is notably less detailed, omitting specific timelines and methods for measuring progress, signaling a shift in its approach.
Premier Simpson, who served in the previous government and was an MLA before that, has experienced two different approaches to developing mandates, says, “I thought we could do better.”
Under his leadership, drawing from his extensive experience in the previous government and as an MLA, a new approach to developing this mandate has been championed. Recognizing that the previous mandates, while detailed, lacked the necessary space for ministers to familiarize themselves with their roles and engage with Indigenous governments before creating a detailed plan, this approach aims to address these gaps.
This time, the mandate serves as a guiding mandate, serving as a framework, fostering closer collaboration with Indigenous governments and integrating contributions from MLAs and the public. Simpson emphasizes, “This was our time to do it differently.”
Each department will develop its own detailed business plan, integrating specific actions, targets, and measures from the mandate. This integration ensures the GNWT’s accountability to its mandate. The business plans, which were tabled today, include references to the mandate. A dedicated section outlines each mandate commitment, associated actions, and measures. Members of the Legislative Assembly will have the opportunity to discuss these action items during the business plan review. Regular reporting, ongoing communication, and annual updates to the business plans will track progress in the GNWT mandate, keeping the public informed and the government accountable.
The Premier believes that this mandate will enable the government to make significant strides in addressing the priorities of the 20th Legislative Assembly.
