Lesa Semmler

Member Inuvik Twin Lakes

Minister of Health and Social Services

Lesa Semmler currently serves as the Member representing Inuvik Twin Lakes in the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, having been re-elected to the position. Born in Yellowknife, NT, and raised in Inuvik, where she still resides, Ms. Semmler has deep roots in the Northwest Territories. 

A Registered Nurse, Ms. Semmler graduated from the Aurora College Northern Nursing Program in 2000 and earned her Community Health Nurse Certification from the Canadian Nurses Association in 2008. With 15 years of frontline nursing experience at the Inuvik Regional Hospital, she focused on Acute Care, Homecare, and Public Health. Her career also included roles as the Manager of Acute Care Services and eventually the Regional Manager of Acute Care Services under the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. Notably, she served as the Inuvialuit Health System Navigator at the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, assisting Inuvialuit Beneficiaries in navigating the healthcare system. 

Beyond her healthcare career, Ms. Semmler has actively contributed to education and community service. She served on the Inuvik District Education Authority, assuming the role of Chair from 2015 to 2018, and chaired the Beaufort Delta Education Council. Ms. Semmler participated in various working groups at the territorial and national levels, including the Inuit Tuberculosis Elimination Board and the Inuit Midwifery Revitalization. Her commitment to social justice is evident in her voluntary work as a member of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Family Advisory Circle, where she worked to ensure northern voices were heard and represented. Lesa Semmler's life and career reflect her passion for healthcare, education, and advocating for the well-being of her community.

Inuvik Twin Lakes Electoral District

Committees

Inuvik Twin Lakes
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
(867) 767-9143
Extension
12195
Constituency Office

198 Mackenzie Rd
Unit 123
Inuvik NT X0E 0T0
Canada

P.O. Box
3130
Constituency Phone
867-678-2429
Minister
Email
Email
Minister of Health and Social Services

Statements in Debates

Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

There is a budget of about $86 to $87 million over two-and-a-half years for COVID. GNWT amounts for addictions and on-the-land have been quoted in the House last week: $2.3 million a year for addictions treatment; $1.8 million for on-the-land healing. That is $4.1 million a year. That is $10 million for 2.5 years. It doesn't add up for me. When is the Premier going to look at a better way of providing addiction services or if her Minister, if she wants to pass it on, can look at a better way of providing addiction services? We have mental health counsellors, all those types of things, in our...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Jenkins.

Committee Motion 45-19(2): Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Infrastructure - Deferral of Department (page 40), carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Mr. Martin. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 45-19(2): Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Infrastructure - Deferral of Department (page 40), carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you. The motion is in order and is non-debateable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Committee, we will continue sitting beyond the hours of daily adjournment to conclude the item under consideration. Member for Kam Lake.

Committee Motion 45-19(2): Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Infrastructure - Deferral of Department (page 40), carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Martin.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Minister. Member for Monfwi.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 45-19(2): Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Infrastructure - Deferral of Department (page 40), carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Committee, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is included in the capital estimates as an information item and the totals are not votable. We will continue to review these estimates as we have for the previous considered departments, however, we will not vote on the totals. If Members have comments or questions they can be raised at the appropriate time.

Committee, we will defer the corporation totals and review the estimates by activity summary, beginning with finance and infrastructure services on page 65, with information items on page 66. Are there questions, comments? Member for...

Committee Motion 45-19(2): Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Infrastructure - Deferral of Department (page 40), carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Member. Minister.