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

Lesa Semmler
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

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

Thank you, Minister Wawzonek. Does committee agree that this concludes consideration of Tabled Document 30-19(2)?

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

Thank you, committee. Do you agree that we have concluded consideration of Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021?

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

Thank you, committee. We will proceed with the first item. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021, resuming with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Committee, we have previously deferred this matter at consideration of the departmental summary. Members, please turn to page 29 of the tabled document. Education, Culture and Employment, operations expenditures, total department, 2020-2021 Main Estimates, $340,268,000. Does committee agree?

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

I will now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee, Mr. Norn?

Question 301-19(2): Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Action Plan
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

Yesterday, the question was asked, and there was commitment on an annual report. We're going to need staff. We're going to need someone to put this report together. Will you be able to have these staff in place to present an annual report of progress on this file for at least our October sitting?

Question 301-19(2): Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Action Plan
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister responsible for the Status of Women. In the fall, I questioned the Minister and the Premier on an action plan for the NWT. Yesterday, it was confirmed that they are waiting for a national action plan. Last night, Crown Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett was questioned in the House of Commons about the inaction of a national action plan. I quote her, "All the provinces and territories are working on their plans that will be lifted up into a national action plan." My question is: I ask again, will the government begin work on...

Question 296-19(2): COVID-19 Pandemic Border Restrictions
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

I've also been getting questions about the role of Premier, Cabinet, and yourself agreeing with the advice and action from the Chief Public Health Officer in restricting the day-to-day activities of the residents and businesses of the Northwest Territories. Can you please outline the process that takes place in extending this public health order or instituting new orders?

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Tabled Document 30-19(2) will be reported as ready for consideration in a formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Committee, those were the matters agreed upon to review today. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Norn.

Member's Statement on COVID-19 Pandemic Border Restrictions
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since March, a lot of my questions that I have been receiving have been in regards to COVID-19. I've heard from my constituents about their thoughts as well on the Emerging Wisely plan. There are some residents who support the closed borders and the strict rules in place, and there are those who want to know why, since we've had no cases since April, we are under such strict rules at the borders and the borders remain closed. Mr. Speaker, with our neighbouring territory, the Yukon is planning on opening up a lot faster than us. This has increased the questions of...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

Mr. Norn.