YELLOWKNIFE (December 12, 2025) – The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority’s Public Administrator (PA) and Minister of Health and Social Services hosted a meeting earlier this week with Regional Wellness Council (RWC) Chairs to discuss and collaborate on matters of importance related to health and social services. The meeting also included participation from the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA), Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRSSA) and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS).
The PA works closely with the RWC Chairs throughout the year, and these meetings are especially important because they provide a full day for in-person discussions with the Minister of Health and Social Services. This time allows for open dialogue on challenges, progress, recommendations, and ongoing work that is essential to advancing health and social services programs and services that matter most to communities.
In addition to providing an opportunity to connect and collaborate on key priorities and overall progress in improving the health and social services system, the two-day meeting included presentations and focused discussions on items including:
- Cultural Safety and Organizational Culture: A presentation was offered about ongoing work to advance cultural safety and anti-racism across the health and social services system. This work must remain at the forefront of all other work. The team offered a guiding principle of ‘nothing about us, without us’, which was carried throughout the rest of the meeting.
- Healthcare System Sustainability: The Healthcare System Sustainability Unit presented on the status of their work which includes initial observations in which areas the system could benefit from a sustainability review. Their work is undertaken in collaboration with the 3 Health and Social Service Authorities and DHSS.
- Person-Centred Model of Care: A presentation and discussion took place on person-centred care (PCC). RWC Chairs play an important role; they experience the health and social services system as patients, family members and advisors to the system, and this discussion helped strengthen PCC efforts and identify barriers to its implementation.
- Medical Travel Modernization: Medical travel continues to be an area of importance to this group, and a presentation was offered on the status of the medical travel modernization project. While progress is ongoing, it is expected that over the next year, significant work will continue, including, policy updates and evaluating the gap between the current state and desired outcomes. The RWC Chairs are eager to see this work complete and look forward to future updates.
- Technology Enhancements: There was discussion about the importance of looking at new technology to support work across the system. This includes the use of virtual care in small communities and looking at AI technologies available. The discussion highlighted the need to balance risk with patient needs and to accept some level of risk when the potential benefits to patient care are substantial.
- Mental Health and Addictions: In addition to a presentation on the status of mental health and addictions programs and services funded by DHSS, there was discussion about the importance of supporting residents across the territory, particularly as drug use and mental health needs continue to increase. The presentation sparked a robust discussion about the ongoing drug crisis in NWT, especially in smaller communities. While counselling and other supports have improved, more is needed. Healing requires continuous care that honours both cultural and clinical approaches, alongside safe housing and stronger after-treatment supports. These gaps are urgent, particularly for Indigenous peoples facing intergenerational trauma. There was agreement that addressing these challenges will require collaboration beyond health and social services, learning from successes in other jurisdictions, and continued federal partnerships.
Overall, the meeting was constructive and collaborative, reflecting a shared commitment across Authorities and regions. The discussion reinforced the importance of regional voices and acknowledged the daily challenges faced by communities.
In closing, participants recognized the faults that exist across the system and acknowledged the difficult and critical work carried out by everyone across the health and social services system, particularly frontline staff.
Leaders from the Authorities and the Department of Health and Social Services reaffirmed their dedication to prioritizing staff safety and wellbeing and to working together to strengthen the health and social services system for the benefit of both residents and staff.
Quotes
“Regional Wellness Councils are the voice of communities. Their feedback ensures that reforms to the Health and Social Services System reflect the realities of the people and communities we serve. Together, we can build a system for healthy people and communities that is more responsive, equitable, and sustainable.”
- Lesa Semmler, Minister of Health and Social Services
“It is always a pleasure to get together with this group to discuss these important matters and hear directly from community leaders. Their insight and perspectives are critical as work continues to build a system that is equitable and responsive to the needs of residents. I look forward to continuing these conversations over the next year and making real progress on the work, together.”
- Dan Florizone, Public Administrator, Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
Background
RWCs serve as advisory bodies to the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services System, offering insight and advice that support improved delivery of programs and services. By actively listening to residents in communities, representatives can offer both a local and regional voice to the health and social services system.
RWC Chairs meet regularly with the Public Administrator’s of the NTHSSA and the HRHSSA, alongside the Chairperson of the TCSA. This structure ensures that recommendations for improvements are heard and acted upon. It also establishes a formal mechanism for reporting and tracking of HSS system improvement initiatives, which strengthens accountability across the HSS system.
While these meetings are held privately to allow for focused and strategic discussion, public involvement remains essential to the process. RWC Chairs want to encourage all residents to participate in their local meetings. RWC meetings are open to the public and serve as the primary venue for community engagement and feedback on matters related to health and social services. Watch for posters and social media/email notifications in your community about when these meetings are held or contact your local RWC Chair.
For more information visit https://www.nthssa.ca/en/governance.
Media Requests
For media requests related to the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority, including Regional Wellness Council Chairs or the Public Administrator, please contact nthssacomms@gov.nt.ca.
For media requests related to the Minister of Health and Social Services, please contact presssecretary@gov.nt.ca