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

Oral Question 1103-19(2): Inuvik Shelters
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 114)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So that brings me back to my initial thought, question, is what is going to happen to the homeless shelters in Inuvik if nobody bids on these RFPs? Like, I'm looking at the RFP. I've received an email from past board members about the RFP and how strict and how many things that they're asking for. We know that there's gonna be ongoing issues. So what is Housing Corporation going to do now that they've assumed operations? They have assumed. These boards are no longer there. They're dissolved. They've closed up their books. So what is Housing Corporation going to do? Or...

Oral Question 1103-19(2): Inuvik Shelters
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 114)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions, as I mentioned in my Member's statement, are for the Minister responsible for Homelessness.

This past fall, or actually last spring, it was raised in the House when there was struggles with the board to keep the emergency shelter warm with my continuous talks with the Minister. What I would like to know now, since the Housing Corporation has taken over operations of the two shelters in Inuvik, can the Minister advise what is the plan on the future running of these two homeless shelters in Inuvik? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member’s Statement 1101-19(2): Inuvik Shelters
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 114)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past winter, the homeless shelter and the emergency shelter have been operated by the Housing Corporation. Since being elected, I raised issues that have been brought forward to me impacting them and their operations. The emergency shelter was having difficulty and needed support; however, the homeless shelter, from my discussions with the past board, were running somewhat well by the board minus their concerns for minimal funding and ongoing search for funding.

Mr. Speaker, the past board had stated that they would assume to take over the emergency...

Tabled Document 654-19(2): 2021-2022 Northwest Territories Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 113)

Thank you. There's a motion on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and nondebatable. All those in favour? All those opposed?

Carried

Motion is carried.

Oral Question 1096-19(2): Procurement
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 113)

Thank you. And one last request. I would ask that the same penalties be put in place if they don't follow obligations. Would the Minister be considering that as well or bring that to her board when they put it under consideration? Thank you.

Oral Question 1096-19(2): Procurement
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 113)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's great news. And I'd also like to ask the Minister if within the discussion that they bring up with the board, you know, making sure that when they do it that the same things are put in place, the review, the followup, is put in place so that way they can ensure that any contracts that are given to corporations that they're following through with the commitments that they make. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Question 1093-19(2): Procurement
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 113)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So my last supplementary, will the Minister commit if obligations aren't met, that there are penalties going to be put in place so we can ensure that Northerners and northern companies benefit fully in the future? Thank you.

Oral Question 1093-19(2): Procurement
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 113)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister also ensure that all Crown corporations that receive public dollars that we sit in this House do approve must comply to ensuring that they are following the same mechanisms? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member’s Statement 1089-19(2): Contract Work in the North
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 113)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today was going to be on homelessness but I have decided at the last minute that I'm going to talk about one of our mandate priorities is, you know, in this House when the 19 Members came together, one of the biggest issues that we talked about was contracting and keeping the work in the North, you know. And, you know, we've had lots of talks about this, you know, we've talked about revamping our procurement, our Indigenous procurement policies. So when I look back and thank the Minister for her statement because you know what, I'd really...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 113)

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 23, Bill 29, and Committee Report 2719(2), and I would like to report progress. And Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.