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
Constituency Office

125 Mackenzie Rd
Unit 203
Inuvik NT X0E 0T0
Canada

P.O. Box
3130
Minister
Minister of Health and Social Services

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to add with -- just further information -- and I know that as we're live here, I'm just pulling up more information on the wastewater. There currently is new funding, third-party funding, that will be continuing parts -- I think a part of this program ongoing. Where those communities are, I'll just pass it over to the deputy minister and she can speak to the communities that that's happening in right now currently. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I wanted to also mention as part of that labour market supplement there were eligible positions that were increased for retention in that labour market supplement. But as for what the department is doing or what -- within NTHSSA is there is the recruitment strategy that the department is working along with. And I can turn that over to the deputy minister to go through some of the things that are going on. And the thing to be reminded is these are things that cannot be monetary, so in cash or the -- as the labour market supplement is, and so it's ways to try...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll have the ADM Mathison break down where that change is. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Can I pass that on to the deputy minister, please. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, as the negotiations go through the collective agreement bargaining, we follow whatever the agreement is after that, you know -- we cannot bargain additionally outside that collective agreement. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Thank you, Madam Chair. With that detail, I'll pass it on to the deputy minister.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this funding reduction was done as the shelter networks use this fund -- the amount that's allocated that was reduced was for bringing people, you know, from the -- like, the staff from the shelters into Yellowknife to do training. This past year, my understanding is that the online training has been completed now and so that those staff within all of the regions now could do the training that they -- this training through virtual means. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Yes, that is correct.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Thank you, Madam Chair. So the direction that the child and family services is going in is -- it's kind of set into seven priorities:

To serve children, youth, families, so working collaboratively with Indigenous governments and organizations;

Care rooted in Indigenous practices;

Support to care providers and caregivers;

Strengthen youth supports and transition to adulthood;

Specialized services closer to home;

Strengthening human resource recruitment and

Retention efforts for an inclusive and representative workforce; and,

Reducing administrative demands for increased opportunities to connect with...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

I will pass that on to ADM Mathison to try to explain.