It's almost election day!
Plus a town hall, a wildfire conference and what we're reading
Hello readers, this is Emily, Cabin Radio’s assistant editor with another week of news from the Northwest Territories.
We’re in the home stretch with less than one week until the 2025 federal election.
Cabin Radio spoke with voters at advance polls in Yellowknife and Inuvik, while our reporter Claire talked to residents in Inuvik and Norman Wells about their top election issues.
The four candidates running to be the NWT’s next MP shared their views during CBC’s election forum on Tuesday night, including how they envision the territory’s economy once the diamond mines close. The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce is hosting its virtual all-candidates election forum tonight starting at 7pm. It will be livestreamed on the chamber’s website.
Make sure to check out Cabin Radio’s election platform tracker, our explainer on how to register and where you can vote on April 28, and other election news at our 2025 federal election hub.
For live election coverage on election night, tune into Cabin Radio’s livestream on our website or app.
In territorial politics, the NWT government announced a tax break and its decision to redirect millions of dollars intended for emissions reductions to support the three diamond mines in the territory. While the finance minister has defended that plan, at least one MLA is not impressed.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Our best stories
What we’re reading
Stories to catch up on
1. More than 100 attend NWT nominee program town hall
"I came here with a dream, and that doesn't seem to be working." Foreign workers and business owners packed a meeting about a troubled NWT immigration program.
2. Dehcho leaders discuss ‘outside interference’ in communities
The threat posed by southern drug dealers to small NWT communities was one of the main topics as Dehcho First Nations leaders began a three-day meeting.
3. ‘This is the one thing that really helps your home survive’
Enterprise, NWT. Los Angeles. West Kelowna. When wildfires hit, this company studies how homes burned – and what might have saved them. Here are some lessons.
4. Behchokǫ̀ residents give feedback on bridge replacement project
The GNWT released more details about its plan to replace the Dehk’è Frank Channel Bridge, plus a summary of what residents in Behchokǫ̀ say about the project.
5. Brenda Dalton honoured for 30 years coaching figure skaters
Yellowknife Skating Club used its annual show to stage a surprise celebration for a coach who has been helping athletes in the city for three decades.
6. NWT doctors back call for separate nurses’ bargaining unit
A nurses-only bargaining unit is "legitimate and long overdue," an NWT doctors' group said. Currently, nurses are in a unit with thousands of other GNWT staff.
7. NWT U15 hockey team unites 10 Nations to win Alberta tourney
A predominantly Northwest Territories team uniting players from 10 Indigenous Nations won gold at Alberta Native Hockey Provincials earlier this month.
8. City launches ‘Intensification First’ strategy
The City of Yellowknife launched an intensification strategy to increase awareness of what the development approach is and why the municipality is pursuing it.
9. YK dump fire may have been caused by electronic waste
The City of Yellowknife says a fire at the dump that was quickly extinguished on Tuesday may have been caused by the improper disposal of electronic waste.
10. Dene Nation hails Pope’s ‘commitment to making amends’
In a tribute, Dene National Chief George Mackenzie called the late Pope Francis a "pivotal figure in the journey towards reconciliation."
What we’re reading
Arctic sovereignty? Inuit would like a word
Arctic security and sovereignty has been the focus of many federal leaders’ promises this election. For The Narwhal, Dustin Patar spoke with Sara Olsvig, chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council about sovereignty from an Inuit perspective.
Reaching for the Beaufort Sea
Last year, the Canadian and US governments announced they were working to resolve a long-standing dispute over the Beaufort Sea boundary. For Canadian Geographic, Rob Huebert writes about how US-Canada relations in the region could be impacted by the Trump presidency.
Mystery on Arctic Ice
Rare polar and grizzly bear hybrids, known as grolars or pizzlies, have intrigued northern hunters and researchers for years. For Up Here magazine, Trina Moyles writes about the phenomenon.
The North is key to Canada’s future—let’s unlock its full potential together
In this open letter published in The Hub, NWT Premier RJ Simpson tells federal leaders that “Canada cannot afford to overlook the Northwest Territories.”