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

Question 237-19(2): On-going Issues Facing the Northwest Territories
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

With COVID, like I said yesterday and today, it really highlighted a lot of our deficiencies, and I think, when we saw the money coming from the federal government flowing, it was almost like they are living the life that we have been living every day. That is our normal. That is why, all of a sudden, Ottawa opened up its pockets. I just want to make sure that they continue, the Ministers, and I know you've said it, but continue to press because, if we do have a federal election, we don't know how some of these things are going to change. Would the Premier commit to that, making sure that we...

Question 237-19(2): On-going Issues Facing the Northwest Territories
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Related to my Member's statement, sometimes I think, Ottawa, I don't know who has been talking to them and telling them how it really is in the North, and so that was why my Member's statement was talking about what some of the people in the North almost consider as normal. Can the Premier tell us if the government is lobbying the federal government to give us more resources to deal with some of those issues that I mentioned in my Member's statement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Committee has been considering Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021, and wish to report progress. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

I call the committee to order. Can we take a short recess? What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Norn.

Question 237-19(2): On-going Issues Facing the Northwest Territories
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Madam Premier, for your answer. There's another component to my question: we know we have talks of an election, maybe, in the fall, so do we have an idea of when we can expect more resources to flow north to help us, as a government, to tackle some of these issues?

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 21)

Thank you. I will now open the floor to general comments, but first, I am just going to say, just as we were following the last 10 minutes, one round for questions, two for each section that we go through. Just opening the floor to general comments on the Department of Infrastructure. Member for Hay River South.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 21)

Thank you, Minister. Are you good? Okay. Questions. Member for Monfwi.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 21)

Thank you, Minister. Member for Yellowknife North.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 21)

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 21)

Thank you, Dr. Dragon. Member for Frame Lake.