LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Laws

Jun 15: The Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) began phasing in increases to compliance and licensing fees, including a 6.7% increase to driver’s licence registrations fees and electromechanical work permit renewals. Specific fees related to National Safety Code (NSC) commercial vehicles weighing over 4,500 kilograms take effect on July 1, 2026, including a 2.3% increase to Deh Cho Bridge tolls for such vehicles. From 2027 to 2030, these fees will increase annually on April 1 by 4.4% plus the previous year’s Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Discrimination

Jun 3: Indigenous employees made up 32% of the GNWT’s overall workforce and 25% of management positions, according to a new government report for 2024 to 2025. During that period, 67% of departments reported over 25% workforce Indigenous representation. A total of 3,795 job descriptions have been reviewed since the GNWT launched its Indigenous Employment Plan in 2022.

Action Point: Beware of certain kinds of seemingly legitimate employment practices that may have the effect of inadvertently perpetuating racial discrimination and increasing your liability risks.

New Laws

Jun 16: The GNWT is investing approximately $140 million in highway infrastructure improvements across the territory as part of the 2026 summer construction season. Work will take place on highways and access roads, including maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction activities. The Northwest Territories transportation system includes 3,873 kilometres of all-weather highways, winter roads, and access roads, 27 airports, four ferries/ice crossings, and over 350 bridges and major structures.

New Laws

Jun 11: The GNWT is implementing a more transparent government contracting complaint process. Under the new Vendor Complaint Process, vendors will be able to raise concerns earlier in the procurement process by submitting complaints during the solicitation period and before bid submissions are due. The updated process also introduces a protest period, allowing eligible vendors to formally challenge procurement decisions within a defined timeframe before a contract is awarded.

New Laws

May 21: The GNWT, in partnership with the Northwest Territories Fire Chiefs Association, launched a new Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) program to strengthen integration, communication, and coordination between wildland and structural firefighting during community wildfire threats.

Health & Safety

Jun 16: The GNWT confirmed the first case of white-nose syndrome (WNS) and the fungus that causes the disease (Pseudogymnoascus destructans or Pd) in the Fort Smith area. White-nose syndrome is a disease that threatens bats but not humans or other species of wildlife.

Workers’ Compensation

Jun 4: Newly passed legislation makes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presumably work-related when victims are firefighters or first responders. Bill 48 also adds 13 cancers to the list of 14 presumptive coverage cancers for firefighters, expands presumptive coverage to include more heart-related conditions, and broadens the definition of firefighter to include workers involved in fire inspection and investigation. Effective date: January 1, 2027.

Action Point: Find out about workers’ compensation coverage of PTSD and other mental stress claims across Canada.

CASES

There are no cases to mention this month.