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

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

Minister of Health and Social Services

Statements in Debates

Committee Motion 383-19(2): Committee Report 43-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on Bill 63: An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act – Indigenous Languages Legislative Changes, Carried

Debates of March 27, 2023 , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Thank you. Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 20222023, Department of Health and Social Services, capital investment expenditures, total department, not previously authorized, $91,000. Does committee agree?

Debates of March 27, 2023 , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 385-19(2): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 881-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2022-2023, Carried

Debates of March 27, 2023 , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

All right. Thank you for that commitment. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 385-19(2): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 881-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2022-2023, Carried

Debates of March 27, 2023 , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 386-19(2): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 882-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2022-2023, Carried

Debates of March 27, 2023 , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Thank you. I'll now open the floor to general comments. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 390-19(2): Committee Report 44-19(2): Special Committee on Reconciliation and Indigenous Affairs Final Report: A Northwest Territories Approach to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Negotiating Agr

Debates of March 27, 2023 , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the work plan proposals to be suggested by the Government of the Northwest Territories under the NWT Council of Leaders UNDRIP Memorandum of Understanding should include:

Description of who or what entity will monitor progress;

Identification of who or what entity will be accountable for progress;

A dispute resolution mechanism other than the Government of the Northwest Territories for disputes between Indigenous governments over the implementation of UNDRIP, land access and land exclusivity and other interjurisdictional disputes; and,

An...

Committee Motion 381-19(2): Committee Report 40-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on Bill 61: An Act to Amend the Ombud Act – Government Response to Recommendations, Carried

Debates of March 27, 2023 , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Thank you, committee. We've concluded consideration of Committee Report 4019(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations' Report on Bill 61: An Act to Amend the Ombud Act.

Committee, we've agreed to consider Committee Report 4319(2), Report on Bill 63: An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act. I will go to the chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations for any opening comments. Member for Yellowknife North.

Debates of March 27, 2023 , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Thank you. Sergeantatarms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Minister, can you please introduce your witnesses.

Debates of March 27, 2023 , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Thank you. Minister.

Committee Motion 385-19(2): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 881-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2022-2023, Carried

Debates of March 27, 2023 , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Thank you. Minister of Finance.