The Northwest Territories Electoral Boundaries Commission is seeking feedback from residents on possible changes to the territory’s electoral districts.
The commission released an interim report last month exploring four options to potentially change the territory’s existing electoral boundaries, from a 19 district and MLA model up to 22 districts and associated MLAs.
All four options propose adding at least one new electoral district to Yellowknife and splitting the Tłı̨chǫ region – which is currently represented by the single Monfwi district – into two districts, with Rae as one district and a second made up of Edzo, Frank Channel, Wekweètì, Whatì, Gamètì and Highway 3 east to Boundary Creek.
The four options also all propose expanding the Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh district to include the Ingraham Trail, Dettah Access Road and Highway 3 east of Boundary Creek.
The commission now wants to hear from residents about those proposals as well as suggestions on name changes to existing electoral districts and names for possible new districts.
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Residents can provide feedback at public hearings, online, by email or mail.
Public hearings have been scheduled to take place in:
- Yellowknife at the Legislative Assembly from 6:30-8pm on each December 3 and January 12;
- Behchokǫ̀ at the youth centre from 6:30-8pm on December 5;
- Fort Simpson at the community hall from 6:30-8pm on December 7;
- Fort Liard at the community hall from 11am-12:30pm on December 8;
- Kátł’odeeche First Nation at the Chief Lamalice Complex from noon to 1:30pm on December 9;
- Hay River at the community centre from 6:30-8pm, on December 9;
- Fort Providence at the community hall from noon to 1:30pm on December 10;
- Whatì at the cultural centre from 6:30-8pm on December 10;
- Inuvik at the Midnight Sun Complex from 6:30-8pm on December 15;
- Fort McPherson at the community hall from noon to 1:30pm on December 16;
- Aklavik at the Sittichinli Recreation Complex from 6:30-8pm on December 16; and
- Dettah at the Chief Drygeese Centre from noon to 1:30 pm on January 12.
The commission is expected to make final recommendations on electoral boundaries and district names to the Legislative Assembly in February 2026.
Ultimately, it will be up to MLAs to approve any changes to the territory’s electoral boundaries.
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The territory has had 19 MLAs since 1999. The NWT’s electoral boundaries were last adjusted in 2014.
Electoral districts must be reviewed at least every second territorial election.
A commission last reviewed the boundaries ahead of the NWT’s 2023 election. It recommended that the territory keep 19 MLAs while making minor adjustments to electoral boundaries in Yellowknife and Inuvik.
MLAs in the 19th Legislative Assembly narrowly voted down that recommendation, with some MLAs calling for the creation of new districts.
