Emergency management
The NWT is on the front lines of climate change and must be prepared to mitigate and respond to continuing climate-driven events such as floods and fires. Disaster recovery can span several years and better preparation for the NWT to deal with the impacts of climate-related hazards is urgently needed. The GNWT will work proactively to respond to emerging threats in ways that are solutions-based and action-oriented. To enhance the safety of residents and communities, the GNWT will:
- Ensure that emergency management and preparedness initiatives strengthen our capacity to respond to more frequent and severe climate-driven disasters and other emergencies;
- Enhance our understanding of climate change-related threats and impacts and support innovative climate change mitigation and adaptation responses;
- Invest in robust and redundant community, energy, telecommunications and transportation infrastructure;
- Strengthen regulatory frameworks for emergency management, create territorial building standards, and improve community hazard mapping and monitoring.
Recent News
June 5, 2026
Working together to Prevent Human-Caused Wildfires
Preventing human-caused wildfires is a shared responsibility, and we encourage residents and visitors to keep this front of mind this season. Forest officers are conducting patrols in areas...
May 28, 2026
Jay Macdonald: Preparations for the 2026 Wildfire Season
Check against delivery. Mr. Speaker, we are more prepared for wildfires this year than we have been heading into any other previous season, and that is good news for everyone. We have new initiatives...
May 28, 2026
Vince McKay: Ready for the 2026 Season: Strengthening Emergency Preparedness in the Northwest Territories
Check against delivery. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on emergency preparedness in the Northwest Territories. The growing frequency and severity of climate-driven emergencies require...