Part IV - Measures Adopted by the Governments of the Territories - Northwest Territories

Article 2: Anti-Discrimination Measures

684. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is developing a plain language Family Law Manual to assist individuals and community helpers in understanding a person's rights and responsibilities under Northwest Territories (NWT) Family Law.

Complaints of gender-related discrimination

685. The NWT Human Rights Act came into effect on July 1, 2004. From that date to May 31, 2006, 17 percent (or 14/84) of the complaints received have been gender related.

Aboriginal women

686. While Aboriginal women represent approximately 50 percent of the NWT female population, on average, 90 percent of residents in the female facilities (adult and young offender) are Aboriginal. Programs offered to female offenders address education, traditional values, self esteem, cognitive thinking, parenting, addictions and community reintegration.

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Article 3: Measures to Ensure the Advancement of Women

Violence against women and girls

687. Given the small population in the NWT, GNWT resources are available to all women's groups and individuals regardless of race. Because many Aboriginal women are at high risk for victimization, some of the programs and victim assistance projects mainly serve Aboriginal women and girls. During this reporting period, the majority of clients accessing community based victim services were Aboriginal women who were victims of violence. 2005-2006 was the fourth consecutive year that showed an increase in the number of these clients impacted by partner assault.

688. A Coalition Against Family Violence, which includes the GNWT and non-government agencies, developed the Northwest Territories Action Plan on Family Violence in 2003. The GNWT developed a response to the Action Plan in 2004. This plan contains 72 actions in the following eight categories: policy and legislation, working together, capacity building, training, prevention, education and awareness, services and monitoring, evaluation and accountability. Each action was intended to build partnerships and improve the Government's response to families affected by family violence in the NWT. A Phase II Action Plan is being developed to build on the successes of the first action plan.

689. On April 1, 2005, the NWT Protection Against Family Violence Act came into force. This legislation provides emergency protection to victims of family violence. Use of the legislation has been higher per capita than other Canadian jurisdictions with similar legislation. A significant majority of applicants are Aboriginal women.

690. In 2006, the Department of Justice, in collaboration with the Coalition Against Family Violence, traveled to 13 northern communities to facilitate one-day workshops on community response to family violence.

691. The Yellowknife Response to Family Violence Protocol is in the final stages of development. Interested NWT communities will begin piloting similar protocol development processes.

692. In 2005-2006, the Government of the Northwest Territories produced a series of victims of crime brochures as well as multi-media public education materials that explain the new choices available under the Protection Against Family Violence Act. These materials are available in all 11 NWT official languages (English, French and nine Aboriginal languages).

693. The Yellowknife-based YWCA Children Who Witness Abuse Program has expanded by providing outreach to other small NWT communities, as requested and as funds permit.

694. The GNWT supports prevention activities during Family Violence Awareness Week and the Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Shelters for victims of violence

695. In October 2005, the GNWT committed an additional $100,000 a year to the five family violence shelters (collectively) for five years. These shelters serve 33 communities that are isolated and spread over a large geographic area. Transportation to the shelters can be delayed and difficult to obtain. Although there are 11 official languages recognized in the NWT, services in shelters tend to be available in one to two languages, including English (typically) and the Aboriginal language most spoken in the community.

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Article 6: Trafficking of Women and Exploitation

Sexual exploitation of children and youth

696. On December 15, 2004, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act came into force in Canada. The purpose of this Act is to help police services investigate crimes of a sexual nature by requiring the registration of information relating to sex offenders. The GNWT worked with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to implement the registry in the NWT. The registration of sex offenders will help to protect NWT women and children by providing information on the location of sex-offenders.

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Article 7: Women in Politics and Public Life

697. Eleven percent of the members in the territorial Legislative Assembly are women. Of this total, none hold Ministerial portfolios.

698. Over this reporting period, the number of women in senior management in the NWT public service increased slightly from 31 percent to 32 percent. The Affirmative Action Policy has been in place in the NWT since 1989. Through the policy, the GNWT gives preference in hiring and developing eligible members of designated target groups. Northern women are a target group for positions in non-traditional and senior management occupations.

699. The GNWT has a Management Assignment Program to develop leadership and management skills within the public service. Many employees who take advantage of the program are women. For example, over the reporting period, 50 percent of the participants were women. Twenty-seven (27) percent of these women have gone on to accept senior management positions within the government.

700. The GNWT supported the Status of Women Council in the development and delivery of Women's Voices in Leadership workshops. From 2003 to 2005, 121 women from across the NWT participated in these workshops. A resource binder is also available.

701. There are a total of 47 women participating in the negotiation of land claims agreements.

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Article 10: Education

702. The Government is committed to providing equitable educational opportunities for all students. Under the NWT Education Act, every student is entitled to have access to the education program in a regular instructional setting. The Ministerial Inclusive Schooling Directive outlining this requirement is founded on the guiding principle of equal access to education. This requirement for educational equity is also reflected in how we fund schools.

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Article 11: Employment

Employment measures

703. The Status of Women Council of the NWT and its partners have received funding under the Government of Canada's Pan Canadian Innovations Initiative for a three year research project in supporting women in trades training for the mining and oil and gas sectors. The project will look at career counseling, supports, training and aftercare, explore the success factors for women in non-traditional occupations. The GNWT is a contributing partner.

704. In 2006-2007, the GNWT provided funding to the NWT Federation of Labour to host presentations in Yellowknife and Fort Smith by the leader and founder of Women in Trades and Technology. These sessions raised awareness and facilitated discussion among stakeholders.

705. The GNWT continues to promote the participation of women in various occupations:

  • In 2006-2007, funding was provided to the Status of Women Council for marketing and promotion activities targeting women in trades.
  • A Deal Yourself In public awareness campaign was developed to actively promote women in the trades.
  • Skills Canada-NWT promotes careers in the skilled trades to youth through sponsoring of skills clubs, skills competitions and young women/young men conferences.
  • The Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Program is being reviewed through a program audit, literature/best practice review and stakeholder consultation to determine key success factors and areas for improvement.

706. The GNWT negotiates with industry proponents of major resource development projects for commitments in socio-economic agreements to recruit, train, employ and advance women in all occupations on the projects.

707. A government-wide initiative is underway to review and reform income security programs to better meet the needs of all NWT citizens.

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Article 12: Health

708. The Midwifery Profession Act came into force January 2005 and licenses midwives. Future plans may expand access to midwives' services.

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Article 13: Economic and Social Life

Women's access to housing

709. The Point Rating System used by the NWT Housing Corporation prioritizes applicants for social housing and now recognizes 25 extra points for victims of family violence. Though the policy does not specifically target women, the majority of victims of family violence are women.

710. The NWT Housing Corporation has approved a change in policy that allows the Local Housing Organization to consider applications for social housing to be in good standing even if the applicant has previous tenant arrears with the organization. This flexibility allows the Local Housing Organization to work in the best interest of the applicant, allowing greater access to public housing.

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