Month In Review – Northwest Territories

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Month In Review – Northwest Territories

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LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fall Protection

Jan 5: The WSCC issued a new advisory reminding employers that slips, trips, and falls continue to be a major source of workplace injuries, especially in the winter. Occupations at high risk include workers in manufacturing, retail, construction, and government. Common injuries include sprains, strains, bruises, as well as traumatic injuries like broken bones.

Action Point: Find out how to implement a legally sound Fall Protection Compliance Game Plan at your site.

Transportation Safety

Jan 31: Amendments to the Driver’s Licence Regulations and General Identification Card Regulations will take effect this month rather than in December as originally reported. Highlights: Acceptance of identity verification via facial recognition, authority of the Registrar to grant extensions for medical examinations, elimination of red tape that prevented drivers with a “G” endorsement from driving as learners outside a 100 km radius of their home community, elimination of the “N” endorsement, which was intended for taxis and bus drivers but never used because of redundancy with Class 4 licence requirements, and elimination of the fee to downgrade a driver's licence to Class 5.

Action Point: Find out how far you can go in disciplining workers for distracted and dangerous driving.

Industry Challenges

Dec 15: The GNWT launched phase 3 of its public review of proposed new Mineral Resources Act regulations. This round of consultations will focus on the Mineral Rights Review Board and transitioning of existing mineral interests. Deadline to comment: Jan. 30.

Industry Challenges

Dec 18: The Ekati Diamond Mine received a $115 million loan from the federal government’s Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility to maintain operations in Lac de Gras. While the diamond sector remains a centrepiece of the Northwest Territories’ economy, contributing close to 20% of territorial GDP, many mines, including Ekati,

are approaching the end of their operational lives.

Industry Challenges

Dec 5: The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) newly announced Regional Defence Investment Initiative will provide $40.5 million over 3 years to support small and medium-sized national defence industry businesses in Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon. RDII funding may also be used to enhance regional defence innovation ecosystems and for establishment of strategic infrastructure to enhance Canadian Armed Forces’ operations.

Workers’ Compensation

Feb 28: February 28th is the final day for employers in Northwest Territories to submit their 2026 workers’ compensation Annual Payroll Report to the WSCC. You should receive a mailed package from the agency well in advance of the deadline. Contact your assessment representative immediately if you haven’t received the APR package.

Action Point: Find out how much each province and territory is charging for workers’ compensation premiums in 2026.