It's budget time, baby
Plus where to watch Cabin Radio's FM licence hearing
Hello readers, this is Emily, Cabin Radio’s assistant editor.
Happy February everyone, the shortest month of the year. (Hopefully it at least feels less long than January.)
With MLAs sitting in the Legislative Assembly for the first time in 2025, there is plenty of political news here in the NWT.
Ahead of the sitting, Premier RJ Simpson gave a territorial address on progress his government has made on its mandate. The address was billed as a first for the NWT and part of his approach to civic engagement.
The finance minister also released the territorial government’s proposed 2025-26 operating budget today. Numbers! Facts! Figures! We've broken down key highlights in the financial plan.
Likely to be another hot topic in this legislature sitting will be the public service’s impending Indigenous Employment Policy, which has been criticized by several MLAs and some members of the public. The finance minister has said the policy will be tweaked to address some of those complaints before it becomes effective on April 1.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Our best stories
Watch our CRTC hearing
What we’re reading
Stories to catch up on
1. If tariffs happen, what would change in the NWT?
US-Canada tariffs are paused for 30 days. If they eventually happen, what would that really look like in the NWT? We asked industries and economists.
2. Alternatives North releases basic income guarantee proposal
Alternatives North released a report outlining how a basic income guarantee could be delivered in the NWT. The group said doing so would help eliminate poverty.
3. What’s happening with the $47.8B child welfare settlement?
Chiefs voted to include the NWT in a child welfare reform settlement. Now Canada is negotiating only with Ontario. What does that mean for NWT First Nations?
4. Frederick Blake Jr sworn in as Gwich’in grand chief
Frederick Blake Jr was sworn in as Grand Chief of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, though it's still unclear if the council's board recognizes him as its leader.
5. ‘No breaches’ but parts of Norman Wells long-term care could improve
An investcility but made recommendations for improvement.
6. How changes to federal disaster recovery funding will affect the NWT
The federal government is changing a program designed to help provinces and territories financially after natural disasters. Here's what will be different.
7. Inuvik’s ski club is back after ‘surge in interest’
Last year, Inuvik Ski Club didn't have enough people to operate programming or keep its ski hut open. This year, things have improved and the season starts now.
8. How many new homes are there in Yellowknife, and is it enough?
City of Yellowknife staff provided data on the number of new homes being built – alongside an assessment of whether the city's housing needs are being met yet.
9. Report highlights climate change risks to new housing
A new report from the Canadian Climate Institute says if policies aren't changed, climate change-related threats to new housing could cost billions.
10. PowerSchool breach in the NWT ‘affects 35,000 people’
More than 35,000 past and current students and staff at Northwest Territories schools are affected by the PowerSchool data breach, the GNWT said on Tuesday.
Watch Cabin ask the CRTC for a FM licence
You may have seen Ollie’s special update about Cabin Radio’s upcoming hearing for a FM licence.
Just a reminder that if you’re interested in watching, you can attend in person at the Explorer Hotel on Tuesday, February 11 and Wednesday, February 12 starting at 10am each day.
If you can’t come in person – we hope you can! – the CRTC has said it will also stream the hearing on its website. You can find more information here.
What we’re reading
Elon Musk’s Starlink: A lifeboat for rural Canada or a dangerous trojan horse?
This opinion piece in the Globe and Mail by Peter Garland, Rob McMahon and Dwayne Winseck caught my eye. Starlink has grown in popularity in the North where access to high-speed internet is limited. The authors explore the service’s expansion in Canada as well as concerns about the sovereignty and security of Canadian telecommunications.
Residents recount the local impact of Inuvik Drum
After nearly 60 years, the Inuvik Drum published its last print edition. Editor Eric Bowling explored what the paper has meant to community members.
Why are artists like Kendrick Lamar and Nicki Minaj still using the E-word today?
On CBC’s Commotion, host Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Dr Jay de Soca Prince, Sharine Taylor, Jamesie Fournier discussed the use of a slur for Inuit in pop culture.