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Returning to the N.W.T. after travel? These new rules apply

Effective tuesday, n.w.t. government suspended travel bubble between n.w.t. and nunavut.

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The Northwest Territories now says all members of a home must self-isolate for 14 days when a person in the home returns from travel.

The move is in light of the surge of COVID-19 cases across the country, according to Dr. Kami Kandola, the territory's chief public health officer. Kandola spoke on the new rules during a briefing with reporters for the territory's weekly COVID-19 update.

"The second wave has come ashore in the North," Kandola said.

"The events of the last 10 days have shown just how quickly our fortunes can change and they have reminded us that we cannot keep this virus out." 

Recently, 380 people travelled from Nunavut, a "small number" of which identified as contacts to confirmed cases in Nunavut, and have entered the N.W.T. They are now in isolation and on Tuesday evening, the government said those who flew in from Nunavut's Kivalliq region in the last 14 days are now required to self-isolate in their current location for two weeks, starting the day they arrived in the N.W.T.

"We're monitoring closely Nunavut's response and our hearts goes out for them," Kandola said adding some of N.W.T.'s smaller communities are similar to Nunavut's in terms of crowded housing and the "social nature" of small communities.

The new rules for households however, are not retroactive, and it applies to all travellers and their households arriving after the advisory was announced on Wednesday. 

People who are isolating in households with returned travellers are not to go to school, work, visit with others or run errands for the entire 14 days. If a person who has returned home from travelling is able to self-isolate in a "self-contained suite" that is separate from the rest of the home's living space, then household members are not obliged to self-isolate. A self-contained suit includes a separate entrance, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

The new rules replace all previous guidelines for travellers returning home, which previously said people could isolate at home as long as they keep at least two metres apart from other household members.

Kandola says travellers will need to plan accordingly with their household and indicate in their self-isolation plan how they plan to be away from the rest of their household (like being in a self-contained suite) or that household members will be self-isolating with them.

Kandola says the decision was made based on a few factors including the growing number of cases Canada-wide and that in N.W.T.'s recent cases, the transmission to household contacts was "100 per cent."

Resident essential worker changes

Essential workers who have not travelled but who live with people who have travelled and are self-isolating will have to follow new guidelines too.

That includes completing a worker's self-isolation plan, having their employer apply for permission to work during the 14 day self-isolation period, and getting approval by the chief public health officer. Employees are told to work with their employers to complete the process through ProtectNWT, the release says.

The rules for exempted non-resident workers remain the same. Self-isolation and application requirements for supply-chain workers, essential workers, airline crews and employees, remote camp workers, and non-remote camp workers have not changed at this time.

Keep crowds small

Kandola says with the holidays approaching, people may feel more of a pull to get together, but reminded residents that with bigger crowds come a larger transmission network.

She says it's no reason to be "fearful" but "mindful" instead.

She says the territory has about 200 requests to enter the territory and is expecting more.

While masks still aren't mandatory Kandola says they're strongly recommended. People who feel even a little bit sick, she said, should call health centres. She added testing has never been "easier or faster," with the territory having a capacity to do about 500 tests per week.

Households who have to isolate are allowed some activities in the two weeks of isolation, she said, including short walks (not with people from outside the home), and added that what people are allowed to do while in isolation will be explained further soon.

"If our only risk factor is travel related… putting the restrictions on that small number allows the greater population to have more freedom," Kandola said. 

Travel 'bubble' suspension was a 'difficult' choice, Kandola says

Earlier this week, the N.W.T. government said it was suspending the travel bubble between N.W.T. and Nunavut until further notice, a choice Kandola says was "very difficult" to make.

Since Tuesday at noon, people who travel from Nunavut to the Northwest Territories must follow the same self-isolation and travel protocols as anyone else travelling to the territory, according to a news release on Monday from the office of the N.W.T.'s chief public health officer.

• Travel 'bubble' between N.W.T. and Nunavut suspended until further notice
• N.W.T. imposes more rules for travellers from Nunavut's Kivalliq region

On Tuesday evening, effective immediately, the N.W.T. government added to that measure — anyone who has travelled from Nunavut's Kivalliq region in the last 14 days is required to self-isolate in their current location for two weeks, starting the day they arrive in the N.W.T.

It follows a COVID-19 outbreak in Nunavut. On Wednesday, it hit a new high of 70 cases.

There have been 15 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the N.W.T., 10 of which have recovered, according to the  government's website  which was last updated Tuesday morning.  

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Effective April 1, 2022, anyone, regardless of vaccine status, can enter the NWT. Self-Isolation Plan is no longer required.

COVID-19 is caused by a virus producing mild to severe respiratory infections. COVID-19 can spread from person to person through heavy breathing, coughs and sneezes of people who are carrying the coronavirus. Anyone can get COVID-19, regardless of how active or healthy you may be. It can cause serious illness requiring hospitalization, especially in people who are at higher risk, and even resulting in death.

Those at a higher risk for severe outcomes of COVID-19:

• Over the age of 60
• Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or have not received a booster (including those under 5 who cannot yet be vaccinated)
• Moderately or severely immunocompromised
• Had an organ transplant
• Undergoing cancer treatment
• Taking immune suppressing drugs
• Have high blood pressure
• Diagnosed with cardiac or severe chronic lung disease
• Diagnosed with severe kidney or liver disease
• Suffering from dementia or have had a stroke
• Obese (Body Mass Index more than 40)

If you have any of the above higher-risk conditions and have symptoms of COVID-19, you are at greater risk for severe outcomes. If your symptoms are worrisome or you cannot manage your symptoms at home please visit your local health centre for an assessment. Treatments that reduce severe outcomes are available for those at higher risk. To be considered for treatment, an assessment by a healthcare provider is needed. You can also call 8-1-1 for none urgent medical advice.

The most effective way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and stay up to date on your vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are available free of charge in the NWT. To find out if you are up to date on any of your vaccinations, please see the NWT Immunization Schedule or contact your local health centre .

For information on vaccine clinics and testing, please click on the following to the NTHSSA website:

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For more information on COVID-19, please click on the following links to the Canada.ca/COVID-19 website:

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WestJet service update: Northwest Territories wildfires

Last updated September 4, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

Status of operations – as of Monday, September 4 at 4:00 p.m. MT

In response to the Government of the Northwest Territories' re-entry after evacuation plan, scheduled flights between Calgary and Edmonton and Yellowknife will resume on Wednesday September 6, 2023. Guests are advised to follow all instructions provided by local authorities in alignment with the Government of the Northwest Territories' phased re-entry approach at WestJet.com.

Status of operations – as of Wednesday, August 23 at 3:00 p.m. MT

In response to a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) issued by NAV Canada impacting Yellowknife we have cancelled all flights operating to and from Yellowknife until end of day Sunday, August 27, 2023.

Status of operations – as of Tuesday, August 22 at 10:45 a.m. MT

In response to a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) issued by NAV Canada impacting Yellowknife we have cancelled all flights operating to and from Yellowknife until end of day Thursday, August 24, 2023.

Status of operations – as of Monday, August 21 at 11:45 a.m. MT

In response to a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) issued by NAV Canada impacting Yellowknife we have cancelled all flights operating to and from Yellowknife until end of day Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

Status of operations – as of Saturday, August 19 at 5:00 p.m. MT

In response to a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) issued by NAV Canada impacting Yellowknife we have cancelled all flights operating to and from Yellowknife until end of day Monday, August 21, 2023.

Status of operations – as of Friday, August 18 at 2:15 p.m. MT 

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our guests and crews, we have proactively cancelled all flights on Sunday, August 20, 2023, to and from Yellowknife. 

We are working to notify all impacted guests and encourage them to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

Status of operations – as of Friday, August 18 at 8:45 a.m. MT

To aid evacuation efforts, WestJet has added an extra recovery flight scheduled for August 18, 2023, from Yellowknife to Calgary:

WS4301 YZF - YYC 

Status of operations – as of Thursday, August 17 at 2:20 p.m. MT

In response to the mandatory evacuation order issued by The Government of The Northwest Territories, a  travel advisory  has been posted on WestJet.com and flexible change/cancel guidelines have been announced for all guests travelling to Yellowknife between August 15 and 30, 2023. For assistance with changes or cancellations please contact us .

Status of operations – as of Thursday, August 17 at 12:00 p.m. MT

In response to the mandatory evacuation order issued by The Government of The Northwest Territories, a travel advisory has been posted on WestJet.com and flexible change/cancel guidelines have been announced for all guests travelling to Yellowknife between August 15 and 22, 2023. To ensure guests evacuating are able to do so affordably, WestJet has adjusted fare classes to avoid price escalation.

To aid evacuation efforts, WestJet has added an extra recovery flight scheduled for August 17, 2023, between Yellowknife and Calgary:

WS4160 YYC – YZF

WS4161 YZF - YYC 

Additionally, WestJet has added larger aircraft to operate previously scheduled flights between Calgary and Yellowknife on WestJet flight WS221 and WS222. 

To ensure as many guests as possible can bring their pets onboard all flights departing Yellowknife today, WestJet has increased the pets in cabin limit.

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our guests and crews, we have proactively cancelled six flights at this time on Friday August 18, 2023, and Saturday, August 19, 2023.  We are working to notify all impacted guests and encourage them to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. 

Impacted flights:

WS221 YYC-YZF

WS222 YZF-YYC

WS221 YYC-YZF 

WS3161 YYC-YZF

WS3194 YZF-YYC

As the situation evolves, we are working diligently to provide increased capacity from Yellowknife and will share further updates as they become available. 

We continue to monitor the situation closely and will make operational changes in the name of safety as necessary. All guests currently in the region are advised to follow all response instructions provided by local authorities.

Related Articles

Travel restrictions and advisories in Northwest Territories

Check the links below to find government orders and decrees related to COVID-19. Government responses continue to evolve, so please check back often for updates and rely on your local and national government for the most current information.

Province-wide General COVID-19 Information and Guidance

• Tour Operators
• Destinations
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• Digital Edition Spring 2024
• Digital Edition Fall 2023
• Travel Webcast
• Voices of Travel
• Agents' Choice Gala
• Suppliers Kit
• Canadian Travel Press
• Travel Courier
• Offshore Travel Magazine
• Culinary Travels

Northwest Territories Wildfire Update

August 18, 2023

With the evacuation of Yellowknife continuing, SPECTACULAR Northwest Territories, Air Canada, WestJet, Air North and Canadian North are all providing updates on the wildfire situation in the Northwest Territories.

On its website, SPECTACULAR Northwest Territories advised that there is currently a wide state of emergency due to the wildfire situation in the NWT.

It continued that the government of the Northwest Territories issued the following message: “Please be advised that due to the current wildfire situation in the NWT, we are asking that non-essential travel to or through the NWT be avoided at this time. Residents of communities and areas currently under evacuation order to not return home. This includes Hay River Katlodeeche First Nation Reserve, Fort Smith, Enterprise, Jean Marie River, Yellowknife, N’dilo and Dettah, and the Ingraham Trail.”

Air Canada said that is “closely monitoring the devastating events in the NWT, and increasing our Yellowknife flights to help people get to a safe region.”

The carrier noted that: “This is a complex and evolving situation, and we remain in contact with NWT government officials to provide support. We have deep roots in Yellowknife as our regional airline partner Jazz has employees who together with their families live in this community. They are working hard to assist people during this difficult time.”

Air Canada added two extra flights — doubling the normal frequencies to four – on Aug. 17 and it added that: “We have also substituted a larger 169-seat Boeing 737 for one of those flights to provide extra seat availability.”

Today, Aug. 18, the carrier has added an extra B737 flight in addition to the usual two flights, and we will continue evaluating opportunities for adjustments.

And it advised that: “At this time, there will be no flights to or from Yellowknife on Sat., Aug. 19 due to the government evacuation order. We plan to operate as the situation permits.”

On the issue of pricing, Air Canada said that “there have been postings in social media about fares being elevated. This is not correct as we proactively at the earliest possible time put in place a cap to limit fares for Air Canada’s direct flights out of Yellowknife.”

The carrier continued: “The examples on social media are aggregated fares by websites which are not in line with what we are offering on our non-stop flights from Yellowknife. For example, some involve several stops and other carriers, with some trips lasting as much as 21 hours, when a normal non-stop Yellowknife-Calgary flight is two hours. We endeavour to get these aggregated fares corrected where possible – however, customers should always ensure they are purchasing the non-stop fares directly from the aircanada.com website or from a travel agent to avoid the multi-leg routings.”

Air Canada noted that: “We also monitor the pricing on aircanada.com to ensure that the capped fares continue to display as intended. Sometimes it requires taking steps to correct fares manually when they may not display as they should due to certain technical factors. Rest assured, we get these corrected as soon as possible, and we refund passengers who inadvertently purchase a fare before it gets corrected by our team.”

The carrier advised that: “At this point, flights for the next few days are fairly full, and we continue monitoring the situation closely and will adjust our schedule as we can. We have also put in place a goodwill policy for customers to change their flights booked for travel up to Aug. 30, or to obtain a full refund.”

Go to www.aircanada.com for more.

WestJet offered an update on its operations, stating that: “In response to the mandatory evacuation order issued by The Government of The Northwest Territories, a travel advisory has been posted on WestJet.com and flexible change/cancel guidelines have been announced for all guests travelling to Yellowknife between Aug. 15 and 30, 2023.”

The carrier also noted that: “To ensure guests evacuating are able to do so affordably, WestJet has adjusted fare classes to avoid price escalation.”

WestJet added an extra recovery flight to its schedule yesterday (Aug. 17) and it has also added larger aircraft to operate previously scheduled flights between Calgary and Yellowknife on WestJet flight WS221 and WS222.

WestJet also said that “to ensure as many guests as possible can bring their pets onboard all flights departing Yellowknife today, WestJet has increased the pets in cabin limit.”

The carrier advised that: “Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our guests and crews, we have proactively cancelled six flights at this time on Fri., Aug. 18, 2023, and Sat., Aug. 19, 2023. We are working to notify all impacted guests and encourage them to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.”

WestJet said that: “As the situation evolves, we are working diligently to provide increased capacity from Yellowknife and will share further updates as they become available. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will make operational changes in the name of safety as necessary. All guests currently in the region are advised to follow all response instructions provided by local authorities.”

Go to www.westjet.com for more.

Air North is advising that it remains actively engaged in the current evacuation order in place for Yellowknife and the surrounding areas. Due to the order and operational demands, it will be forced to temporarily suspend our regular scheduled flights to and from Yellowknife until Tues., Aug. 22. This suspension of services may be extended if the emergency persists and public orders remain in place.

The carrier said that it will continue to work with the Canadian government the Northwest Territories government and local officials during this fluid situation to ensure its passengers stay informed of any developments along this route.

For passengers travelling to or from Yellowknife, we are offering complimentary changes and cancellations on bookings.

Go to https://www.flyairnorth.com/flights/travel-updates for more.

For information from the NWT government, go to https://www.gov.nt.ca/en/public-safety

CANADIAN NORTH

Canadian North said that to support impacted travellers, it is offering flexible modifications and cancellations for all routes associated with Yellowknife and Hay River until Aug 28, 2023 with no additional fees.

For assistance, Canadian North can be contacted at 1-800-267-1247 or by email at [email protected] or go to https://canadiannorth.com/

Photo of Yellowknife courtesy of SPECTACULAR Northwest Territories 

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Northwest Territories

Spectacular and unforgettable, inspiring destinations.

From the Arctic Ocean to the Boreal Forest, spanning mountains and tundra the Northwest Territories can host you in our welcoming communities and remote untouched locations.

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Fly into Yellowknife, the capital and travel hub of the Northwest Territories. Alternatively, you can fly directly to Fort Smith, Hay River, Fort Simpson or Inuvik and travel into neighbouring communities.

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Northwest Territories Travel Insurance

NWT Travel Insurance Overview

Northwest Territories provincial health care plan, NWT Health Care Plan, provides coverage to basic health care when within the province. However, the coverage may not be enough outside Northwest Territories. You need additional Northwest Territories travel insurance or private health insurance to cover you for services not covered by NWT Health Care Plan.

Check the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) for more information on the type of insurance available to you when you travel out of Canada. Call CLHIA at:

Toll Free: 1-888-295-8112

In Toronto: 416-777-9002

NWT Travel Insurance Details

Is nwt health care cover travel insurance.

When traveling out of Canada or out of the territory, you still need comprehensive coverage to cover for medical emergencies and other uncertainties. NWT Health Care Plan covers out-of-country dental and medical expenses but it can only go so far. You need Northwest Territories travel insurance to cover you when you travel. Call Insurdinary for travel insurance quotes Northwest Territories residents can pay. When you call Insurdinary, we will connect you to insurance advisors who will guide you on the best travel insurance available to residents.

Northwest Territories health care plan covers the cost of medically necessary services when you travel outside NWT at the same rate provided in the territory. The payment is provided in Canadian currency. The individual will be responsible for the difference in the amount charged and the amount provided by the Health Service Administration Office. Besides, even when traveling within Canada, NWT Health Care plan does not cover expenses like medevacs and ambulances.

To read more about Northwest Territories Travel Insurance, click here .

Traveling outside NWT for study

Traveling outside the territory for education? You need additional private medical insurance or Northwest Territories travel insurance. It is important to understand your coverage to know the amount of additional coverage you need especially if you are planning to pursue an accredited full-time study.

For more information about traveling outside Canada, check the ministry’s factsheet " Traveling outside Canada "

To learn more about Northwest Territories Travel insurance for students, click here .

Traveling outside NWT for Work or Business

Traveling outside Canada for work or business? You need Northwest Territories travel insurance to take care of uncertainties and any emergency that might occur. It is important to know what Northwest Territories Health Care Plan covers in order to know the amount of coverage you need.

To get more information about traveling outside Canada, refer to the Northwest Territories factsheet on " Traveling outside Canada ".

To learn more about Northwest Territories Travel Insurance for employment or work, click here .

Speak To An Expert

Nwt travel advisory.

Knowing the weather condition of your travel destination will save you from a lot of troubles and you need to ensure this even before buying Northwest Territories travel insurance. We provide the travel advisory for popular travel destinations for Northwest Territories residents below:

• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/russia
• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/jamiaca
• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba
• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/dominican-republic
• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/saint-martin
• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/australia
• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/thailand
• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/mexico

NWT Travel Insurance News

Tina McDonald learned the hard way that Canadians who travel out of province or territory are not covered for emergency flight when they get hurt. Her daughter, Kiera, was involved in an ATV accident when visiting the family in Norman Wells, NWT.

McDonald’s sister-in-law was with Kiera at the local nursing station and Tina was constantly in touch with them. A doctor in Yellowknife recommended having her daughter medevaced to the capital.  When McDonald agreed to send her daughter, the nurse revealed that her plan does not cover them.

Northwest Territories bills dozens of people thousands of dollars for medevac trips every year. These include seasonal workers, tourists, and visiting families. Medevac provides emergency transportation to people within the province to the nearest hospital. However, people outside their home provinces are not covered by Medevac.

In 2016/2017, the government of Northwest Territories billed 45 people who did not have valid NWT health cards for medevac flights, the NWT Health, and Social Services reported. Air ambulance from Yellowknife to Edmonton or Inuvik to Yellowknife cost from $25,000 to $30,000.

An emergency room physician at Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife, Dr. David Pontin, said he often advises people who travel out of town that they need medevac and that it would cost them. According to Pontin, the conversation could be a fairly difficult one and people are usually shocked or surprised. You could be involved if you don’t have a valid NWT health care card. He said that most Canadians do not realize that they may have to pay these kinds of emergency costs when they travel out of their territories or provinces.

According to CBC, no province in Canada will reimburse residents for the cost of air ambulance they incurred when outside their jurisdiction. Pontin advised that there should be a campaign targeted at informing Canadians to get additional travel insurance when traveling out of their jurisdiction.

To learn more about Northwest Territories travel insurance news click here .

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10 Of Best Things To Do In Canada’s Remote Northwest Territories

• Spot unique wildlife on Banks Island: Arctic foxes, wolves, polar bears, and a large population of Muskox can be seen here. Fishing, bird watching, and camping are popular activities.
• Hike the Canol Heritage Trail: This challenging trail stretches 220 miles and includes treacherous paths and mountain tracks. ATVs or mountain bikes can be used to make it easier. It's one of Canada's longest and most difficult trails.
• Experience the Northern Arts Festival: Held in Inuvik, this festival celebrates the culture, arts, and music of the North. Enjoy artworks, music, and performances. It takes place during the period of 24 hours of daylight for more than 50 days.

Canada is famous for hosting a lot of extreme places that feel wild and truly remote and the Northwest Territories is one of those places. This region is filled with so many unique things like the largest national park in Canada, unique wildlife, and the northern lights, among others.

A visit to this place is sure to offer travelers something different and while visiting; here are the best things to do in the Northwest Territories.

Spot Unique Wildlife On Banks Island

Banks Island is one of the best places to watch wildlife in Canada as it is home to arctic foxes, wolves, and polar bears. It is also home to numerous birds as well as a large population of Muskox.

This makes the island a great place for wildlife watching and photography, and there are so many other things one can do there.

• More things to do on Banks Island: Fishing, bird watching, camping

Hike The Canol Heritage Trail

For hikers looking for extreme challenges, the Canol Trail that stretches from the Norman Wells in the Northwest Territories to the Yukon is the perfect place to visit. The trail is one of the longest and most difficult in Canada , stretching 220 miles of treacherous and zigzag paths, mountain tracks, and paths between glaciated canyons.

Using ATVs or mountain bikes can make the trail easier, but it's nearly impossible to round up the entire trail on foot, which can take more than two weeks. However, one can look forward to breaking a record as only a few hikers have made it halfway.

• Trail Length: 220 miles
• Difficulty: Hard

Related: These Are The 13 Most Dangerous Hikes In Canada

Experience The Northern Arts Festival

The Northern Arts Festival is held every summer in Inuvik and is the longest-running festival that celebrates the rich culture, arts, and music of the North. During this period, the region experiences 24 hours of daylight for more than 50 days, and the festival has no dull moments, thanks to the atmospheric condition.

Visitors here can join the locals to celebrate the artworks of Northern sculptors and painters, enjoy the music and watch thrilling performances from the entertainers. This is one of the best things to do in the North if one is looking to immerse in the culture beyond sightseeing.

• Visit the Great Northern Arts Festival website for more information

Ride On The Dempster Highway

A road trip in the North is best experienced on the 450-mile-long Dempster Highway, where the views are simply stunning. Adventurers can begin the trip from the Klondike highway, near Dawson City, driving between the dramatic mountains, and crossing the Arctic Circle and Mackenzie River, before calling it a day in Inuvik town.

The ride promises to be thrilling, with lots of activities on the way like camping and taking photos at the NWT signposts. The views of the dramatic landscapes are epic and form the highlight of the trip.

• Highway Length: 450 miles

Tour Inuvik

Inuvik is a small town near the Mackenzie River and in the Arctic Circle, serving as the administrative and economic capital of the Western Arctic. There are so many things to see and do in this town but a tour is never complete without sighting the remarkable igloo-shaped church, Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church.

Visitors to this town can also stop by the Tuktut National Park to behold staggering canyons and towering peaks.

• Things to do in Inuvik: Hike the boot lake trail, take a road trip around town

See The Northern Lights

The Northwest Territories is one of the best places to enjoy views of the Northern Lights in the world . While this amazing experience is completely normal for the locals here, it's a highlight of the trip for most visitors to these territories.

Visitors here can enjoy the views from anywhere, including the window of a hotel room, a cabin in the wilderness, on a lake, or in any of the national parks around.

• Best places to see the Northern Lights in the NWT: Aurora Village, Blachford Lake Lodge

Fish In The Great Slave Lake

The Great Slave Lake is a natural wonder in the Northwest Territories worth exploring. It is the deepest lake in North America and one of the largest in the world, yet it's not as popular as its counterparts.

There are many ways to explore this lake, such as kayaking, strolling around its shores, or boating. But fishing is a thrilling experience that rewards one with a prize after putting all the effort into the exercise.

Fishing gives one a sense of fulfillment and there's no better place to do this than the Great Slave Lake.

• More things to do at the Great Slave Lake: Boating, kayaking, birdwatching

Visit Canada's Largest National Park

The Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories is Canada's largest national park and the world's second-largest park. The park is particularly popular for being a haven for wood bison, and it is also a nesting ground for the endangered whooping crane.

There are many things to do on a visit to this park and one can begin by strolling around and watching the wildlife.

• More things to do in Wood Buffalo National Park: Mountain biking, swimming, camping, day hiking, fishing

Related: Into The Wild: Discover The Majesty Of 10 Scenic National Parks In Canada

Paddle In The Keele River

Paddling in the Keele River is one exciting activity one can't afford to miss in the Northwest Territories. The scenic river courses through magnificent alpine landscapes, and imposing mountains that appear like walls of defense, complementing its striking beauty.

While paddling, visitors can keep an eye on the aquatic wildlife that inhabits the waters and also be wary of the fast water currents, which can make the experience more challenging. Occasionally one can even stop at some spots and hike around or camp to get more intimate with the area.

• More Things To Do in the Keele River: Camping, hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting

Explore The Nahanni National Park Preserve

The Nahanni National Park Reserve is quite remote from the capital Yellowknife and so it takes a while to get here. But on arrival, one will be met with amazing natural scenery and lots of things to explore.

The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is popular for hosting the scenic whitewater Nahanni River. This river is the highlight of a trip here as it flows through canyons, wildlife diversity, hot sulfur springs, and lush forests all beckoning for exploration.

A wide range of activities from camping to hiking, and canoeing can be done here, and the scenery is just incredible.

• More things to do at Nahanni National Park Preserve: Mountain climbing, wildlife watching, hiking

Find out more about the  current wildfire and wildfire-related concerns in the NWT.

Package Up a Dream Trip With An NWT Outfitter

From nightly tours to see the  world’s best Northern Lights  to an  Indigenous-led community tour  complete with traditional storytelling and cultural demonstrations, the variety of packages is as diverse as the people of the NWT itself. When you’re planning a trip to the NWT and are looking for an unforgettable experience, choosing the package that best fits your price range with a registered and certified operator  is the first step to making the most of your time in the NWT.

Reaching out to operators also allows you to connect with someone who can offer expert advice on nearby activities and  what you need to be prepared for your trip  – the Northern operators themselves. Operators can give you more insights  on the kinds of experiences they offer, whether that’s the available excursions at an all-inclusive lodge or an authentic fresh-fried shore lunch during your  fishing day trip .

Many tour operators work out of their home communities and share knowledge and traditions that have been passed down through generations Northerners are known for their warm hospitality, and operators in the NWT are likely to give you the inside scoop on the best times to visit, lists of must-see attractions, and tips on where to find the best local deals and  best accommodations in the North .

Whether you book a stay at an Aurora Lodge or a tour through a local art gallery, find the best packages in the NWT here with these registered operators.

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Ministerial Activities Advisory for the week of January 21-27, 2020

Ministerial Travel

Please note that travel schedules may change with little or no notice. This schedule is accurate as of January 20, 2020

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency announces three-year funding to produce INVEST CANADA NORTH

The attached is being redistributed on behalf of the Yukon Mining Alliance and NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines.

invest_canada_north_funding_announcement_jan19-2020_3.pdf

Caroline Cochrane: Invest Canada North Launch

Check against delivery 

Good Morning and thank you for being here.

I’d like to recognize Premier Sandy Silver, Parliamentary Secretary Larry Bagnell and of course our partners with the Yukon, NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines – Anne Turner and Tom Hoefer.

Geological Map Updated for the Mineral-Rich Slave Geological Province

An updated bedrock geology map and database will aid explorers and academic researchers investigating the mineral-rich Slave Geological Province. 

The Premier and Cabinet join GNWT delegates and Indigenous governments at Roundup 2020, signaling their priority to increase resource exploration and development is at the forefront

This weekend, Cabinet members, Indigenous governments and Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) officials will head to Vancouver for AME Mineral Roundup – one of Canada’s largest mining conferences.

Government of the Northwest Territories partners with Bell Let’s Talk and Northwestel to announce $500,000 in funding for child, youth and adults mental health programs

The attached is being released on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, NorthwesTel, Strongest Families Institute, and Bell Let’s Talk.

news_release.pdf

News_release_-_frcax.pdf.

Ministerial Activities Advisory for the week of January 14-20, 2020

Please note that travel schedules may change with little or no notice. This schedule is accurate as of January 13, 2020

Public Announcement: Healthy Choices Fund

As part of its commitment to supporting health promotion and prevention activities, the Government of the Northwest Territories is pleased to announce that it is now accepting  applications for the Healthy Choices Fund.

Ministerial Activities Advisory for the week of December 24, 2019 to January 6, 2020

Ministerial Activities Advisory for the week of December 24 to January 6, 2019

Please note that travel schedules may change with little or no notice. This schedule is accurate as of December 20, 2019.

Progress Update on the Child and Family Services System’s Quality Improvement

Released in August 2019, the Child and Family Services System’s Quality Improvement Plan identified 70 action items to improve the Child and Family Services System in order to achieve better outcomes for children, youth, and their families.