June 19, 2026 – Stronger collaboration and regular dialogue are essential to improving health and social services across the Northwest Territories (NWT). Earlier this week, the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) Public Administrator (PA) and Regional Wellness Council (RWC) Chairs met for their regular forum, alongside leadership from the NTHSSA and the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA). This was followed by a full day of discussions with the Minister of Health and Social Services and Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) officials, focused on shared priorities and cross-system work.

Day 1 allowed RWC Chairs to share regional updates, including feedback from community members, which is a key part of these meetings. The day also offered an opportunity for briefings on RWC and NTHSSA organizational priority projects, with discussions including: 

• Dehcho Small Community Project: Building on progress previously shared with communities and the public, RWC Chairs received an update on continuing efforts to improve access to care in small communities in this region. Work to date has included expanded training opportunities for staff, infrastructure and technology enhancements in community facilities, improvements in access to care through the addition of community-focused Nurse Practitioners, and a patient journey mapping project.
• Medical Travel: Led by NTHSSA, the medical travel accelerated improvement project is about making rapid changes that will improve client and patient experiences. Key challenges identified include scheduling changes, flight availability, escorts, and eligibility coordination. Recognizing these issues helps guide ongoing improvements. Since the project's start in January, notable enhancements have occurred, including visible airport signage in several Yellowknife terminals and operational improvements to support timely travel coordination.  The next phase of work includes establishing and implementing new service standards for travel booking lead times and shorter reimbursement timelines.
• Primary Care: RWC Chairs received a presentation on work underway to improve access to primary care in Yellowknife, including the addition of Medical Travel Nurse Case Managers, enhanced reception support, and improved integration of nursing roles. Much of this work is built around the Primary Health Care Reform Framework. Data was shared that demonstrates positive trends from initiatives aimed at increasing appointment capacity. Work underway will inform future improvements in primary care across the organization.

Alongside discussions and presentations on ongoing work, participants recognized several recent accomplishments across the system. Preliminary data, for example, suggest improvements in access to care, including reduced appointment wait times and increased availability of same-day primary care appointments in Yellowknife and in the Dehcho cabin communities. These early signs of progress are encouraging, particularly in smaller communities, and reflect ongoing efforts to improve timely access to care for residents across the Northwest Territories.

Participants also recognized the many improvements happening across regions. Staff are continually finding ways to improve workflows and enhance the experience for clients. While these changes may not always receive the same attention as larger initiatives, RWC Chairs acknowledged that these everyday improvements are making a meaningful difference across the organization.

Day 2 began with an engaging discussion with the Minister of Health and Social Services, providing an opportunity for RWC Chairs to openly share perspectives and discuss recent Legislative Assembly proceedings and future priorities. The remainder of the day focused on cross-system initiatives and projects, including a more detailed presentation and discussion on the recently released Primary Health Care Reform Framework and ongoing work led by the DHSS to modernize medical travel.

RWC Chairs also received updates on:

• Dental Services and the efforts underway to resume and improve access to dental care across several regions of the territory by improving the safety and readiness of dental equipment in health centres and confirming contracts for visiting dental service providers in several locations. This work represents positive progress toward system-wide goals to enhance access to care for residents.
• Community Health Centre Care Model: A presentation was offered on the work underway under this project and how initial analysis reaffirms the community health nurse-led model as the foundation of care in smaller communities, and the importance of strengthening and supporting this model.

Some other important themes and priorities emerged throughout the two days of discussions and will inform future priorities and work, including:

• Sustaining successful pilots: RWC Chairs highlighted the need for long-term funding and support to ensure successful pilot initiatives across the system are maintained and expanded.
• Recruitment and Retention: This remains a priority focus for discussion. All participants agreed that workforce challenges require coordinated action across government and a focus on creating supportive communities and workplace cultures that help attract and retain staff.
• Elected Official Responsibility for Success: Participants emphasized the responsibility held by elected leaders to set a positive example for future leaders and help build a strong foundation for government.

Overall, the 2-day meeting was a success and reassured the importance of these meetings. The next meeting will take place in September 2026. If residents wish to offer input, they are encouraged to attend local RWC meetings or reach out to the RWC Chairs, who will bring forward ideas, considerations, or concerns. 

Quotes

“Across the NTHSSA and the system, there is an incredible amount of work underway. These forums provide an opportunity to discuss some of that work and reflect on what matters most. Our staff remain our greatest asset, and protecting and supporting them means recognizing small wins and treating one another with kindness and respect, even when we disagree. This is difficult work, often uphill, and people are watching not only what we achieve but also how we work together to achieve it. That is why these conversations and meetings are so important. They help us reflect, challenge ourselves, and ensure we continue moving in the right direction.”

     - Dan Florizone, Public Administrator

“This forum continues to be an important and productive space for open dialogue and collaboration across our health and social services system. Discussions provided valuable, on-the-ground insights from Regional Wellness Council Chairs and system leadership, helping to inform my work as Minister and guide our shared priorities. By working together and focusing on practical solutions—whether in primary care, medical travel, or workforce challenges—we are strengthening the system for residents across the Northwest Territories and ensuring care continues to improve in every region.”

     - Lesa Semmler, Minister of Health and Social Services

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 presssecreatary@gov.nt.ca.

Background Information

RWC Role

RWCs serve as advisory bodies to the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services System, providing insights to improve the 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 Administrators of the NTHSSA and the HRHSSA, as well as the TCSA Chairperson. This structure ensures that recommendations for improvements are heard and acted upon. It also establishes a formal mechanism for reporting and tracking HSS system improvement initiatives, strengthening accountability across the HSS system.

RWC Chairs 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 health and social services. RWC Chairs ensure that resident and community voices are brought forward during quarterly meetings with the Public Administrator, thereby influencing NTHSSA organizational priorities and direction. 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.

Meeting Format:

The Public Administrator hosts quarterly meetings with Regional Wellness Council Chairs. These meetings are closed meetings, allowing for open dialogue on challenges, progress, recommendations, and ongoing work essential to advancing health and social services programs and the services that matter most to regions and communities. Communication following each meeting is issued as a communiqué and is available on the NTHSSA newsroom webpage.