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
Lesa_semmler@ntassembly.ca
Phone
(867) 767-9143 (link is a phone number)
Constituency Office

125 Mackenzie Rd
Unit 203
Inuvik NT X0E 0T0
Canada

P.O. Box
3130
Constituency Phone
867-678-2429(link is a phone number)
Minister
Email
Lesa_semmler@gov.nt.ca
Minister of Health and Social Services

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Member. Minister of MACA.

Member’s Statement on Nursing Shortage
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I look back into my past Members' statements and one of the things when I was campaigning and one of the things that I stand for is to assist in the hiring and practices of and increasing our healthcare providers. It actually became one of our 19 priorities in this House.

I'm going to read one of my statements from June 3rd. Mr. Speaker, the nurses are core to our NWT healthcare system. Without nurses, we would have no one in the communities, no one to care for our patients in our hospitals, no one to provide nursing care for our Elders, no one to...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you. Mr. Heath.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you. And thank you, committee. Thank you to the Minister and her witnesses. And SergeantatArms, you may escort the witnesses from the Chamber.

Committee, we will now consider the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Does the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs wish to bring witnesses into the Chamber?

SergeantatArms, please escort the witness into the Chamber. Minister, please introduce your witness.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 43719(2) and would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Do we have a seconder? Member for Sahtu. All those in favour. All those opposed. Motion is carried.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Member. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you. Members, any questions under the health and social programs? Seeing none. Health and Social Services, health and social programs, infrastructure investment, $7,434,000. Does committee agree?

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Minister. Member for Nunakput.