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
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

Tabled Document 658-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2022-2023
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 116)

Thank you. Committee, please turn to page 9 of the tabled document. Department of Finance.

Finance, directorate, not previously authorized, $6,190,000. Does committee agree? Member for Yellowknife North.

Tabled Document 658-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2022-2023
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 116)

Thank you, Member. Minister of Finance.

Tabled Document 658-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2022-2023
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 116)

Thank you. Committee, please turn to page 14 of the tabled document. Department of Lands.

Lands, corporate management, not previously authorized, negative $48,000. Does committee agree?

Oral Question 1114-19(2): Sexual Violence
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 115)

Thank you, Minister, and thank you for your definition. And I you know, I've read there are three cases, and there were some hallucinogens that were the cause of the three cases. But the my concern is is that, you know, like I said, if it is if is being used, then then that's my concern, against the women and girls of this territory.

So will the Minister discuss some of the examples because there were some examples described by the Supreme Court judge that did the ruling, Kasirer, that they provided in their ruling with the federal minister. So will this will our Minister ensure that they...

Oral Question 1114-19(2): Sexual Violence
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 115)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister for that response, and I'm glad that the department is always focused on the issues that we have in the Northwest Territories.

So my next question is how will the Department of Justice ensure that women, children, and those in LGBTQ2S+ communities, especially those who are Indigenous, will be supported during any criminal process? And I guess this could mean during a process that's got to do with this as a defence or like sexual violent process. Thank you.

Committee Motion 242-19(2): Committee Report 29-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Languages Commissioner for the Northwest Territories Annual Report 2020-2021 – Government Response to Recommendations, Ca
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 115)

Thank you, committee. We have concluded consideration of Committee Report 2919(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Languages Commissioner for the Northwest Territories Annual Report 20202021.

Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Report 31-19(2): Report on Bill 40: An Act to Amend the Medical Profession Act
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 115)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The committee considered several motions that would improve Bill 40, including removing the virtual care register, and adding a requirement to consult with the medical professional community before proposing regulations concerning standards of practice.

Committee members noted the strong endorsement of an exception to registration to continue virtual care with referral and to allow the Minister to enter into agreements that would exempt care practitioners from licensing in the NWT and permit them to provide virtual care services to NWT residents. To this effect...

Committee Motion 242-19(2): Committee Report 29-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Languages Commissioner for the Northwest Territories Annual Report 2020-2021 – Government Response to Recommendations, Ca
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 115)

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion?

Committee Motion 241-19(2): Committee Report 29-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Languages Commissioner for the Northwest Territories Annual Report 2020-2021 – Public Bodies’ Response to Recommendatio
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 115)

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion?

Committee Motion 239-19(2): Committee Report 29-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Languages Commissioner for the Northwest Territories Annual Report 2020-2021 – Clarification of Languages Commissioner’
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 115)

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining?

Carried

The motion is carried. Mr. Johnson.