• Q&A | N.W.T. Education minister says she’s still fighting to fill funding gap left by feds

  Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
  Date: 2026-08-28 18:04:19.0
  Tags: [National, Education, Indigenous, Finance, Social Services]

  The Government of the Northwest Territories faces a $58.6-million education funding gap following federal policy changes to the Jordan's Principle program, resulting in localized teacher layoffs and staffing shortages, including 13 teaching positions cut in Inuvik alone. In response to the shortfall, Northwest Territories Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland stated that the territorial government has allocated over $45 million in new education funding for the fiscal year, which includes $33 million dedicated to stabilizing inclusive schooling formulas. Territorial officials and education bodies are collaborating to share data and negotiate with federal officials, including Minister responsible for Jordan's Principle Mandy Gull-Masty, to address the funding deficit.

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• NTHSSA reports first budget surplus in 10 years, largely due to staffing vacancies

  Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
  Date: 2026-08-28 12:38:57.0
  Tags: [National, Healthcare, Finance, Social Services]

  The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) reported its first budget surplus in 10 years, recording a $4.7 million operating surplus for the 2025/26 fiscal year due to persistent staffing vacancies and one-time federal funding. This surplus reduced the organization's accumulated deficit from $300.8 million down to $296.1 million. The fiscal result was driven by $30 million in additional funding from the Government of the Northwest Territories, $23 million in medical travel recoveries, and federal allotments, even as medical travel costs increased by $21 million. Chief Executive Officer Kim Riles noted that while vacancies contributed to the financial surplus, they drive up costs elsewhere through reliance on casuals, agency staff, and overtime.

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