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.