The Northwest Territories’ premier largely deflected questions about Alberta counterpart Danielle Smith on Wednesday as western premiers gather in Yellowknife.
Asked in the territorial legislature about the NWT’s position on Alberta separation, Simpson said he was “focused on the Northwest Territories.”
The territorial capital is hosting Smith alongside premiers from Nunavut, Yukon, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
A joint press conference is expected on Thursday afternoon.
In the legislature, Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart noted there had been “a lot of attention” around the Alberta government’s approach to the rights of trans and non-binary people, as well as the issue of Alberta separation.
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Smith’s United Conservative Party has introduced legislation that would make it easier for a referendum on separation from Canada to be held.
Describing Smith as “gunning toward a referendum on separation,” Testart asked what Simpson had discussed with Smith and what the result would be if the territory lost a “vital connection to Alberta” for the likes of healthcare and logistics.
“Our position hasn’t changed on the issues the member is speaking about,” Simpson responded. “If there are medical services that are no longer available in one jurisdiction, we will work with another jurisdiction to ensure that residents receive those medical services.”
Asked by Testart if the GNWT would intervene in the event that Alberta separation moved forward in any way, Simpson declined to discuss a “hypothetical question.”
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Testart had noted some Indigenous governments’ vocal opposition to Smith’s handling of the Alberta separation issue. “Our track record here in the Northwest Territories on Indigenous rights speaks for itself,” Simpson said in return.
“I’m looking more for a political commitment from the leader of our government to support the voices of First Nations in Alberta in their struggle to keep this country together,” Testart said, “and oppose a very dangerous precedent that is being floated by the Government of Alberta.”
“I’m unclear on the parameters that he’s talking about. What would I be committing to support?” Simpson responded.
“I’m focused on the Northwest Territories. I’m the premier of the Northwest Territories. We have strong relationships with Indigenous governments. We are moving to a future where the territory will be covered by settled land claims and self-governing Indigenous Nations and we are continuously working toward that end.”
Minister says ‘alternate pathways’ in place
Also on Wednesday, Great Slave MLA Kate Reid asked health minister Lesa Semmler about supports for trans residents of the territory.
An Alberta law will, once proclaimed, bar anyone aged under 16 in the province from receiving hormone therapy and puberty blockers, though that law faces a court challenge.
The province is relied upon by the NWT for a variety of medical services.
“Can the minister explain what actions she has taken [to] address the concerns of our 2SLGBTQIPA+ community members on access to safe healthcare out of territory?” Reid asked.
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“I want to assure NWT residents that healthcare services for transgender individuals, including children and youth, will continue to be available within our health system,” Semmler replied.
The minister said she had taken “concrete steps” to safeguard access to that kind of care.
“I’ve directed my department to secure alternate out-of-territory care pathways for these individuals,” she said, “meaning when a service is not available to residents in the Northwest Territories or Alberta, physicians will refer patients to a jurisdiction where they may continue to receive the care they need.”
Correction: May 22, 2025 – 6:31 MT. This article initially referred to the Alberta law in question in terms that implied it is in force. With some exceptions, most of the bill creating the law is not yet in force – it must be proclaimed, which has yet to occur.
