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
Extension
12195
Constituency Office

198 Mackenzie Rd
Unit 123
Inuvik NT X0E 0T0
Canada

P.O. Box
3130
Constituency Phone
Minister
Email
Minister of Health and Social Services

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 23)

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 23)

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. For an average of 170 people, we have $35 million of a total cost. Where in the plans are we to try to repatriate some of these clients back to? I understand there are complex needs for some who can't return, but the ones who we possibly could bring back, repatriate, and to decrease some of our costs or maybe to spend some of those dollars in territory, paying for our own staff, creating jobs in the territory? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 23)

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 23)

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Cooper.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 23)

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. O'Reilly.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 23)

Thank you, Minister. Member for Monfwi.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 23)

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 23)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just with this, it's brought to light through COVID that we have a lot more and my colleague has related to it about mental health, going through virtual. Our doctors' appointments are virtual. By looking at our specialty services, it's $26 million here. I think about: we go into medical travel. There are a lot of costs involved with medical travel, meeting the specialist. Is there a plan, looking at these high numbers, to ways to look to save costs for our government by more virtual care specialty clinics to try get rid of some of our wait lists and maybe start using...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 23)

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 23)

Thank you, Minister. Member for Kam Lake.