Month In Review – Northwest Territories

LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Seasonal Safety

Sep 23: The Northwest Territories officially ended seasonal time change and switched to a new permanent time standard, known as Northwest Territories Time (UTC-06:00), the same time used by Alberta and Saskatchewan. As a result, the Territories will not turn back the clocks one hour on November 1, 2026.

Ergonomics

Oct 1: The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) published new data on lifting and twisting incidents to workers while carrying heavy items. The three occupations in Northwest Territories and Nunavut with the highest risk for such incidents: i. Janitors, caretakers, and building superintendents; ii. Air transport ramp attendants; and iii. Construction trades helpers and labourers.

Action Point: Find out how to implement an Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention and Compliance Game Plan at your workplace.

Transportation Safety

Sep 8: Northwest Territories will receive $405 million from the federal Arctic Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to advance the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway (MVH) Project. A decades-old vision, the MVH will establish a continuous all-season transportation connection between Wrigley and Norman Wells, which in turn will connect with the Dempster Highway south of Inuvik.

New Laws

Sep 8: The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) announced more than $44.9 million in federal funding to support water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure projects enabling the construction of up to 2,300 housing units across the Northwest Territories in communities like Behchokǫ̀, Colville Lake, Délı̨nę, Fort Good Hope, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Fort Providence, Fort Smith, Inuvik, Nahanni Butte, Sambaa K’e, Tsiigehtchic, Ulukhaktok, and Yellowknife.

Industry Challenges

Sep 29: The Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) released a What We Heard report on the results of its recent public engagement on proposed new Mineral Resource Act regulations. Issues addressed include benefit agreements, removal of minerals, drill cores, transition of existing mineral rights, and Mineral Rights Review Board authority.

New Laws

Sep 10: The GNWT announced a new funding program to help communities prepare residents for employment opportunities associated with the MVH and other major projects across the Northwest Territories. The NWT Workforce Ready Program will provide grant funding of up to $100,000 per project to Indigenous, community, and municipal governments to design and deliver skills development opportunities that respond to local workforce needs and anticipated employment opportunities, with the first intake expected to open in October.

New Laws

Sep 14: The Governments of Northwest Territories, Alberta, and Saskatchewan agreed to work together to advance large-scale nuclear reactors, small modular reactors, and microreactors. The new memorandum of understanding establishes a framework for collaboration and information-sharing on nuclear generation technologies.

Drugs & Alcohol

Sep 14: The GNWT opened public consultations on proposed regulations under the new Liquor Act. Issues on the table include liquor licence classes, permits for events and gatherings, training for liquor sellers and servers, serving sizes, advertising, promotion, and where liquor can be bought. Deadline to comment: October 16.

Action Point: Find out how to create a legally sound Substance Abuse & Fitness Duty for Policy at your workplace.

Workers’ Compensation

Oct 1: The WSCC rolled out an Employer Support team to improve service delivery for businesses across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Available through WSCC Connect, the team will provide employers with a single point of contact and offer immediate assistance with general questions and account management, such as navigating online services, business registration, obtaining a clearance, and submitting payroll.