Patrick Grapes

The Northern Territories Federation of Labour launched a campaign last week in Iqaluit and Yellowknife drawing attention to the health care crisis, characterized in the North by ongoing staffing shortages and a growing reliance on temporary contract workers. Sara-Jayne Dempster, president of the Northern Territories Federation of Labour, says that nursing students who graduate here are running into barriers finding jobs, which is contributing to the crisis in the North.

“We have assisted close to 500 families for Christmas this year and that includes 300 children for toys as well,” said Tony Brushett, executive director of the Salvation Army. It was just last week that Brushett said the Salvation Army Christmas kettle food drive was getting closer to their goal and today it only got better.

In an announcement issued today, GNWT’s Chief Environmental Health Officer Dr. Chirag Rohit reported that laboratory-based testing from the Hamlet of Fort Liard, reviewed by the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer, shows that the total THM levels in treated drinking water are above Health Canada’s guidelines.

The Dettah Ice Road was opened this morning to vehicles weighing a maximum of 5,000 kg. This is the second year in a row the ice road was opened in late December, in comparison to the 2022 to 2023 season. In contrast, looking eastward in Nunavut, conditions are warmer than usual with sea ice not fully formed as yet and talk of seal hunt traditions potentially being postponed as a result.

A 25-year-old is facing charges following multiple alleged break-ins at Mildred Hall. Yellowknife police reported that they are investigating this incident along with “several” area break and enters in the downtown area. Officers reported that the suspect was facing previous charges including for an alleged break in at the same school earlier this month.